Object details

Accession number

P1w24

Primary Creator

American, Boston

Full title

Clayton Johns

Creation Date

about 1888

Object Case

Musicians Case

Provenance

A gift from composer, pianist, and teacher Clayton Johns (1857-1932), Boston to Isabella Stewart Gardner on 9 November 1888.

Marks

Inscribed in ink (on verso): To Mrs John L. Gardner / with the compliments of / No 5 Mount Vernon Place / November 9th 1888
Inscribed in pencil (on verso): Clayton Johns

Dimensions

13.8 x 21.5 cm (5 7/16 x 8 7/16 in.)

Display Media

Albumen print

Web Commentary

Composer-pianist Clayton Johns (1857-1932) was one of Isabella Stewart Gardner’s closest friends as well as the beneficiary of her patronage. Gardner actively cultivated the reputations of local musicians like Johns, whom she engaged for many recitals at her homes and museum. While he never gained fame beyond her circle, Johns remained a vital figure within her musical world. Gardner collected several photographs of him, including this portrait of the composer presumably in his Beacon Hill parlor on Mount Vernon Street —a room replete with the comforts of a late 19th century bachelor’s pad.

Permanent Gallery Location

Yellow Room

Rights and reproductions

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