Subseries

This subseries documents the professional relationship between Clarence A. Gagnon and his patron James Morgan. It is composed of five typewritten letters (probably copies of letters sent) from Gagnon to the Montreal businessman.

The correspondence covers a relatively short period from December 9, 1905, to August 28, 1907, when Gagnon was living in France. Financial support from Morgan had enabled Gagnon to study under painter Jean-Paul Laurens at the Académie Julian in Paris, from 1904 to 1905. In his letters, the young artist shares some news of a personal nature, but primarily informs his benefactor of the evolution of his work and career at a time when he was earning particular acclaim for the quality of his etchings.

In a letter dated December 9, 1905, Gagnon announces that he was accepted at the Exhibition of the American Art Association in Paris and invited by two well-known American etchers to join them in a Paris exhibition of etchings in January. He reports on the success of this exhibition in a letter dated January 16, 1906, as well as the fact that the prestigious Gazette des Beaux-Arts would like to publish one of his etchings. On May 30, 1906, he informs Morgan that he received an honourable mention at the Salon [of the Société des artistes français], was invited by Liverpool to exhibit his Salon picture in the fall, and received an offer from a Philadelphia firm to reproduce the picture in question.

Despite these successes, Gagnon's correspondence also reveals the sometimes difficult conditions he faced as a young artist. In his December 9, 1905, letter for example, he apologizes to Morgan for not sending some prints sooner. He explains that he must "depend on the press of a friend etcher" as he cannot afford one of his own. In a letter dated November 24, 1906, he recounts the major costs associated with producing a painting (model's salary, clothing and accessories, heating, framing).

Gagnon also shares his artistic interests in the correspondence. For example, on August 28, 1907, he writes from Dinard, in Brittany, where he was "having [his] real first try at painting the sea and the life around the plages [sic]." He believes that discovering new places brings more variety to an artist's work. He notes that he is particularly attracted to Japan, where he would like to spend two or three years. Moreover, in his letter of December 9, 1905, he expresses his admiration for examples of the Barbizon school of painting that he saw at an auction of the Cronier Collection several days prior.

Finally, two of these letters provide some information about the young artist's personal life. In his letter dated November 24, 1906, he mentions his relationship with Miss Graham, explaining that they were simply good friends and had never been engaged. Nearly a year later, his August 28, 1907, letter to Morgan announces his engagement to Kathryne Irwin.