Rockwell Kent, This is My Own, An Exhibition at the New York State Museum of selections from the collection of Plattsburgh State Art Museum, State University of New York

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Kent working in his studio, c.1930s

For an artist, Kent’s expenses were often considerable. For many years he was the sole source of support for Kathleen and their five children, as well as for his second wife, Frances and her son, Dickie. The cost of maintaining Asgaard was always an ongoing drain on his resources.

Commercial work often kept Kent solvent. Most jobs were a financial boon, but an artistic bane:

“I support myself by turning my hand to the production of almost every lowdown job that commerce, the great prostituting patron of the arts, demands. How I hate all that.”

On occasion, fine art did combine with commerce. In 1927–28 Kent completed three canvases for Steinway and Sons, inspired by music of the masters, including Rachmaninoff’s “Russian Mass.”

One of Kent’s last lucrative commercial clients was General Electric. His painting of a solitary farmhouse on a winter’s night was reproduced in GE’s 1946 calendar and proved so popular that he was asked to provide another for the following year.

In January of 1946, workers at GE’s plant in Schenectady, New York, went on strike. They invited Kent to join their picket line. Well aware that his appearance on the line could cost him his commission, Kent braved bitter cold and supported the strikers. GE officials looking on were not amused and tried to cancel his contract. Kent threatened a lawsuit and GE accepted his painting of a Christmas celebration on a village green.

Thinking that the “picket” fence that enclosed the common was suggestive, GE executives asked Kent to remove it. Kent stood firmly on artistic grounds and the “picket” fence stayed.

Kent on picket line, Schenectady, New York, 1946

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	Greeting Card: Happy New Year 1922, 1922 linecut on paper Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.174.11]
	Rolls-Royce Ad: Two Ladies, 1926 commercial print Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.167.2]
	Rolls-Royce Ad: Road Scene, 1926 commercial print Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.167.3]
	Greeting Card: Weyhe 1926, 1926 wood engraving Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.174.18]
	Greeting Card: Christmas Greetings and Every Good Wish for the New Year 1926, 1926 linecut on paper Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.174.10]
	Marcus & Company Jewlers: That Captivating Circlet, 1928 commercial print Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.162]
	The Commmerial Bank and National Trust Company of New York Ad: Constant Vigilance, 1928 commercial print Estate of Sally Kent Gordon [P52000.168.1]

	Steinway Ad: Russian Mass, 1928 commercial print Estate of Sally Kent Gordon [P52000.170]
	Scribners Cover: February 1929, 1929 ink on paper Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.15.12]
	Chicago Tribune Ad: Two Men Cutting Trees, c.1930 ink on board Museum Purchase, Sally Kent Gorton Endowment [P42005.5.1]
	Scribner's Cover: North Wind, c.1930 ink on paper Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.15.13]
	Fortune Magazine: Cover (unpublished), c.1930 watercolor on board Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.24]
	Film Poster: Nana, 1931 linecut on paper Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.171]
	Chase Brass & Copper Company: Wine Cooler, c.1935 copper Museum Purchase, Sally Kent Gorton Endowment [P112007.1]
	Chase Brass & Copper Company: Cigarette Box, c.1935 copper Museum Purchase, Sally Kent Gorton Endowment [P122007.2]
	On Earth Peace Good Will Toward Men, 1935 linecut on paper Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.107]
	Vermont Symphony: Angel Playing Violin, c.1937 ink on paper mounted on board Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.74]
	Moby Dick Dinnerware: Chop Plate, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.46]
	Moby Dick Dinnerware: Coffee Pot, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.85b]
	Moby Dick Dinnerware: Teapot, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.83]
	Moby Dick Dinnerware: Charger, c.1940 earthenware Museum Purchase, Sally Kent Gorton Endowment [P102005.14.1]
	Textile Design: Moby Dick Scarf, c.1940's mixed media Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.121]
	Our America Dinnerware: Jam Jar, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.44]
	Our America Dinnerware: Plate, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.11]
	Our America Dinnerware: Plate, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.3]
	Our America Dinnerware: Dish, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.2]
	Our America Dinnerware: Maquette, 1939 pen and ink Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1997.3.35]
	Our America Dinnerware: Chowder Bowl, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.16]

	Our America Dinnerware: Plate, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.8]
	Our American Dinnerware: Charger, c.1940 earthenware Museum Purchase, Sally Kent Gorton Endowment [P102005.13.1]
	Salamina Dinnerware: Chop Plate, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.88]
	Salamina Dinnerware: Plate, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.90]
	Salamina Dinnerware: Chowder Bowl, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.112]
	Salamina Dinnerware: Dish, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.111]
	Salamina Dinnerware: Small Teapot, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.126]
	Salamina Dinnerware: Butterdish, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.124a]
	Salamina Dinnerware: Large Creamer, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.123]
	Salamina Dinnerware: Creamer, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.122]
	Salamina Dinnerware: Jam Jar, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.119]
	Salamina Dinnerware: Coffee Cup, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.116]
	Salamina Dinnerware: Large Coffee Pot, 1939 earthenware Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1980.6.129]
	Salamina Dinnerware: Platter, 1939 earthenware Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.200.1.1]
	Flatware Design: Spoon, c.1940 pencil and watercolor on paper Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [X1997.3.36]
	Broach Designs, c.1940 mixed media Gift of Sally Kent Gorton [P92008.3]
	Pon Ad:Dam, 1941 commercial print Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.161.2]
	Benton & Bowels Bituminous Coal: To Make Dream Houses Come True, 1945 oil on canvas board Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.36.23]
	Benton & Bowels Bituminous Coal: Power for the Wheels of Progress, 1945 oil on board Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.36.8]
	General Electric: Calendar Study III, 1946 oil on canvas board Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.64.3]
	Sharp & Dohme Vitamins: Ad, c.1942 lithograph, color Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.189]
	Record Jacket: Carmina Burana, 1950's mixed media Sally Kent Gordon Estate [P52000.135.2]
	Rapid Blueprint Co. Christmas Card, c.1950 linecut on paper Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton [P52000.174.4]

About Early Years New Hampshire Monhegan Newfoundland Alaska Hogarth Jr. Vermont Tierra del Fuego Ireland Au Sable Farm
Book Illustrations Bookplates Greenland Printmaking Murals Political Art Commercial Work Of Men and Mountains The Kent Legacy

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