Cottage Kent renovated, Ireland, 1926 |
By 1926, Kent was divorced
from Kathleen and married to Frances Lee, whom he had met
at a Long Island soiree. He was now the sole source of support
for his new bride and young stepson, as well as for Kathleen
and their five children.
The means for a summer respite in Ireland came in part from
the sale of several paintings to Duncan Phillips, the wealthy
Washingtonian who was turning his Dupont Circle mansion
into a museum. Further support came from Rex Stout, author
of the Nero Wolfe detective novels. Stout provided a stipend in
exchange for first pick of whatever Kent painted in Ireland.
On the coast of County Donegal, Kent and Frances found
their way to the isolated valley of Glenlough. There they met
Dan and Rose Ward, who lived in splendid isolation, presiding
over one thousand acres of peat and bog.
The Wards owned a small cottage that was in deep disrepair
and was being used as a cow shed. Rockwell rented the oneroom
ruin, evicted the cow, and once again transformed a
hovel into a home. Though he longed to extend his stay, the
pressures of providing for his large family would not allow it.
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 | Wildenstein Galleries Exhibition Poster Drawing, 1919
ink on paper mounted on board
Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton
[P52000.12] |
 | Irish Sun, 1926
watercolor on paper
Gift of Sally Kent Gorton
[X1978.1.18] |
 | County Donegal, Ireland, 1927
watercolor on paper
Museum Purchase, Sally Kent Gorton Endowment
[P62008.4] |
 | Poster: Exhibition of Paintings By Rockwell Kent Wildenstein Galleries, 1927
ink on paper
Bequest of Sally Kent Gorton
[P52000.188] |
 | And Women Must Weep Or Shipwreck, Coast of Ireland, 1927-28
oil on canvas
Gift of Sally Kent Gorton
[X1978.1.1] |
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