Friday, May 3, 2024

he only wants the photograph, not the painting itself

The American painter Albert Sterner (1863-1946) was the father of architect Harold Sterner (1895-1976), who, during World War I, was assigned—as were Thomas Hart Benton and Louis Bouché—to make records of all camouflaged ships that entered various harbors (New York harbor in his case). The father was a friend of sculptor William Zorach, who recalled the following story in his autobiography—

William Zorach, Art Is My Life: The autobiography of William Zorach. Cleveland OH: World Publishing, 1967, p 131—

When the man [who had asked about his portraiture] came over to see Sterner, he told him his work was very expensive. That didn't bother the man and Sterner painted the portrait. The man studied it and was satisfied.    

He asked, “Can you tell me where I can get his photographed? I would like camouflageabout two hundred and fifty prints.”

Sterner said, "Peter Juley does all my photography. He'll be glad to do it and you will be well satisfied.”

He said, “Will you arrange to have two hundred and fifty prints made and have them sent to my office?”

Sterner said, "Certainly. And where shall I send the painting?”

“Oh,” he said, “you keep the painting. I don’t want the painting. I just want the photographs.”

So Sterner said, "What's the idea?"

The man said, "You know, I'm a broker and I want to send these photographs around to my clients so they can see I'm a very good looking and upright gentleman and they'll be glad to have me handle their business."