We were a small party for Easter this year so we went to the St. Botolph Club in Boston for a buffet of oysters, salmon, eggs benedict, coq au vin, and lamb (no ham). This is the artsy old Boston club, and I always enjoy going there because the walls are lined with the work of its members past and present. In the crimson library, there is a portrait of an artist who I became acquainted with through his connections to several Salem artists at the end of the nineteenth century: John Leslie Breck. I’ve come to admire his work over the past few years, and I always “check in” with him whenever I go to St. Botolph’s. Though known as one of the young artists who brought Impressionism to the United States (in successive exhibitions at St. Botolph’s), Breck’s portrait is one of earnest realism: he looks handsome and troubled, or maybe I am just imposing that state on him as I know he ended his own life at the age of 39 in 1899.
I don’t mean to be so maudlin, but that portrait always makes an impression on me. But it was a lovely Easter afternoon with great food and company and a walk down Commonwealth Avenue searching for signs of spring. We found some, mostly man- made, but there were a few flowering buds—we are on the brink! Walking back to the car from the Public Garden, I looked for my favorite version of the three Lutheran solas: I was just lecturing on them in my Reformation class last week, and I took a photograph for some extra validation for/from my students.
April 2nd, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Hi Donna,
What a great Easter Monday blog. Sounds as if you folks enjoyed a delightful lunch. While I have not been to St. Botolph’s, I have passed through the Algonquin, Union, and Harvard Clubs in prior years. They do retain such nostalgic charm. I agree that the portrait of John Leslie Breck suggests his underlying melancholy.
I really enjoyed your pics of Back Bay on the verge of spring, particularly appreciated that urn arrangement of pansies and pussy willows. And those fabulous doorways! Thanks for sharing ….
April 2nd, 2018 at 4:21 pm
I can see why the portrait makes an impression, particularly in knowing the background.
April 18th, 2018 at 9:02 am
Great pics of Back Bay in Spring.