Robert Lee Dunn (Memphis, 1874 - 1953, Columbia)
John Hays Hammond with President William Howard Taft, early 20th century
Ink on paper, 27.3 x 35 cm (10 3/4 x 13 3/4 in.)
This image of John Hays Hammond with President William Howard Taft is approximately 10.75 by 13.75 inches. To our right is President Taft seated in a wood chair with his arms extended on the chair’s armrests. He wears a light colored suit with the jacket buttoned up. He has on a white shirt and a wide brimmed light colored fedora. He is light-skinned with a large white handlebar mustache and dark eyes. He looks directly at the viewer with a pleasant expression on his face. To our left is Mr. Hammond seated in a dark suit with a vest. He has on a white collared shirt, a dark tie, and a straw hat with a dark ribbon band and a flat brim. His jacket is unbuttoned to reveal a vest and chain fob. He is light-skinned with dark eyebrows, a light moustache, dark eyes, and a large nose. He has a serious look on his face as his gaze is directly up to our left. His arm to our left rests on his hip and his elbow to our right is bent to rest on the arm of the chair. There is an outdoor backdrop behind them. Across President Taft’s chest is written in ink: ‘With warm regards/Will H. Taft’. To the lower left is written in ink: ‘With cordial regards and affection, John Hays Hammond’. And, inscribed in ink in the upper left: ‘For Mrs. Gardner from her friends.’
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Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.