Fernando el Herrero (Sevilla, 1877 - 1941, Madrid)
Flamenco Record: "Seguidillas Gitanas", "Malagueñas", 1901-1916
Shellac with paper label , 25.5 cm (10 1/16 in.)
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The label on this record album is light brown with the design of a dog looking into a victrola speaker. Across the top of the label is written “Disco Gramophone” and under the picture of the dog is written Malaguenas, Fernando el Herrero, accomp. guitarra, Madrid. At the very bottom of the label is the catalog number, 652061. Mrs. Gardner’s handwritten “bad” is immediately above that. A small red and white stamp is on the label and also carries the dog and gramophone design.
Macknight Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner and the artist John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) were close friends for decades. In addition to discussing art and travel, the two shared a love of music. In a letter preserved in the Museum Archives, Sargent describes their shared interest in flamenco and other Spanish music. The artist gave Isabella several flamenco records, which she clearly listened to: notes in her handwriting preserved on the labels classify each record as “good” or “bad.”