The Official Dorothy Hale Blog

Rare Photos of Gardner Hale's Mural Paintings in a Long Island Home

2014-02-17T20:39:00.000-05:00

“A true cosmopolitan spirit, Gardner Hale combined the training and aesthetics of Europe with the soul and spirit of America. In everything he did the spirit of decoration was emphasized.”

This is how Frank Crowninshield, the popular editor of Vanity Fair and a noted art collector himself, described artist Gardner Hale.

Here are some photos that have resurfaced of Gardner’s exquisite work for a home in Long Island, New York around 1918. Gardner is credited for reintroducing the art of mural painting to America. He study extensively in Europe, but returned to New York in 1917. He was interested in the use of frescos in modern American homes where cement and concrete were being used as the new fashion during that time. He believed these houses should be decorated inside and outside with color. Gardner was the most enthusiastic about a commission that would allow him large wall spaces in which to work. He insisted on grinding his colors, which he always prepared himself to insure the best purity and luminosity.

Remembering Dorothy Donovan Hale

2013-01-11T19:40:00.000-05:00

Dorothy Donovan Hale was born on January 11, 1905 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to Emma and James Patrick Donovan. Dorothy moved to New York City at age Eighteen and worked as a model, dancer and actress. In 1928, she married muralist Gardner Hale. Dorothy’s premature and tragic death in 1938 was hauntingly memorialized on canvas by iconic artist and friend, Frida Kahlo.

Remembering Gardner Hale: February 1, 1894 - December 28, 1931

2012-12-28T18:38:00.000-05:00

In December of 1931, Dorothy and Gardner Hale enthusiastically arrived in California for a six-month stay. Known as one of America's foremost young painters of murals and frescoes, Gardner had been hired to paint numerous murals around the state.

During the holidays, the couple stayed with Gardner's cousin Dorothy McNamee and her husband Luke in Long Beach. On Monday, December 28, 1931, Gardner was driving from Long Beach to San Francisco for a meeting when he was tragically killed in an automobile accident. He was 36-years-old.

Here is a little known print of a Christmas card that Gardner designed for the McNamees during his stay in 1931.

Gardner was a member of the Society of Mural Painters, the ArchitecturalLeague, Salons of America and the Society of Independent Artists. His mural works and paintings were renown throughout Europe and America.

This unexpected tragedy was devastating to Dorothy Hale. She returned to their home in New York City to plan Gardner's funeral. Dorothy found great strength through her love for Gardner. She immediately began orchestrating a memorial exhibition to honor Gardner and his work. This exhibition, curated by Dorothy, would travel through New York, Chicago and San Francisco.

The Dresses of Frida Kahlo to be Featured in Mexico Museum

2012-11-20T21:56:00.001-05:00

The colorful dresses, frocks and accessories of Frida Kahlo will be on display November 22, 2012 at the Frida Kahlo Museum in an exclusive exhibit titled “Appearances Can Be Deceiving: The Dresses of Frida Kahlo.”

Some of her most captivating, and infamous, outfits were kept hidden – at the request of her husband Diego Riveria – for more than 50 years and are now being viewed by the public for the first time in decades.

The collection, discovered in the Frida Kahlo archives, will include jewelry, headpieces, bathing suits, colorful dresses and more. This collection of clothing also explains why Kahlo chose to wear certain items that masked her disfigurements from childhood disease and trolley accident.

This exhibition is being sponsored by Vogue Mexico and the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City.

In Celebration of Día de los Muertos, November 1st-2nd: Frida Kahlo Style

2012-11-02T16:52:00.000-04:00

By Myra Bairstow

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a beautiful Mexican holiday that has become one of my favorite celebrations ever since I was first introduced to it years ago. Growing up, I never knew about this exuberant fiesta. I learned about it while studying Frida Kahlo and have continued to celebrate its meaning ever since.

Mystery and memory mingle as death is celebrated as part of life and the continuum of time. Altars are created to honor loved ones who have passed away. These offerings can be humorous and nostalgic - and are said to guide the souls back to earth for a reunion.

Frida's Fiesta's: Recipes and Reminiscences of Life
with Frida Kahlo

One of my favorite books, which I highly recommend, is Frida’s Fiestas:Recipes and Reminiscences of Life with Frida Kahlo by Guadalupe Rivera and Marie-Pierre Colle. One section of this fascinating book tells personal details of how Frida celebrated Día de los Muertos and also includes her favorite recipes such as 'dead man's bread,' 'red tamales' and 'strawberry atole.'

Having great respect and love for Día de los Muertos, I found it eerie to learn that Frida Kahlo was hired to paint a beautiful portrait of the late actress Dorothy Donovan Hale on November 1, 1938. This coincided with the opening date of Frida’s first exhibition in the United States at the Julien Levy Gallery in New York City. Dorothy died in New York City at the age of 33 on October 21, 1938. I suspect Frida was thinking intensely of Dorothy, having been hired to paint her, on Day of the Dead, in 1938. Perhaps this beloved holiday influenced her to paint something different than the beautiful portrait she was hired to do? Today, "El Suicidio deDorothy Hale," is considered one of Frida’s most mysterious and haunting works of art.

Today in History: Frida Kahlo Debuts First Exhibition in the United States at the Julien Levy Gallery

2012-11-01T19:24:00.000-04:00

On November 1, 1938, Frida Kahlo had her first exhibition in the United States at the Julien Levy Gallery in New York City. It was at this showing that Frida met Clare Boothe Luce and was commissioned by her to paint a beautiful portrait of the late Dorothy Donovan Hale. This commission would inspire Frida to paint one of her most renowned and haunting works, ‘El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale’.

Frida Kahlo, Featured in Time Magazine

Julien Levy Gallery Program from
Frida Kahlo Exhibition

In Memory of Dorothy Donovan Hale: January 11, 1905 - October 21, 1938

2012-10-18T12:53:00.000-04:00

Dorothy Hale

El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale

Myra Bairstow

By Myra Bairstow

The 21st of October is a date of personal reflection for me. I continue to support and be enthralled by the story of Dorothy Donovan Hale because the true narrative of her life is finally being pieced together, seventy-four years after her death.

The liberation of this story is unusual because it was unraveled through a painting. The odds were stacked against the survival of this particular painting. It was almost destroyed out of anger. Sections of the canvas were irreverently covered up and overpainted. The picture was crated and placed in storage for thirty years before unexpectedly resurfacing. Fortunately, it was donated to a museum where it resides today. The painting, ‘El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale’, is a survivor, like the icon who painted it, Frida Kahlo, and like the subject it depicts, Dorothy Donovan Hale.

When I first saw Frida’s haunting painting of Dorothy, I had no idea it would lead me on a fascinating and provocative journey that would unravel at its own pace and linger with me for over a decade of my life. As I write my book about Dorothy Hale and my experiences along the way, I am eager to share her unknown, yet deeply layered life as well as the mysteries I’ve discovered around her tragic and premature death. I am proud to be the first researcher to locate and contact the family of Dorothy and listen to their stories. I am grateful to Dorothy’s niece, Penny, who embraced my study of her aunt and who shared with me detailed aspects of the Donovan family history. Importantly, Penny lived with Dorothy’s father, James Donovan, for the first eleven years of her life and she grew up witnessing his grief and listening to his viewpoints.

During our numerous conversations and correspondences, Penny said that she wanted me to meet one of her cousins whom she thought had some personal items of Dorothy’s that might assist in my research. Unfortunately, she had lost contact with this particular cousin for over a decade. Until Penny’s death, she continued to search for her cousin, but the quest was unsuccessful.

It would take many, many years, but serendipitously and very unexpectedly I would cross paths with Penny’s cousin. This took place only last month. Thanks to the generosity and trust of Penny’s cousin, my book will be enriched with more documentation about Dorothy.

The first year we met, Penny called me on October 21st and made a request. She asked if I could conspicuously leave a rose in remembrance of Dorothy near the vicinity of the Hampshire House on Central Park South. I have carried on this tradition for years, even after Penny passed away. This October 21st will be no different. In memory of Dorothy Donovan Hale and the entire Donovan family.

Myra Bairstow

“In Wonderland” Exhibit Making Its Final Stop in Mexico City This Month

2012-10-03T14:26:00.000-04:00

The Museo de Arte Moderno (Museum of Modern Art) in Mexico City will be hosting the final showing of “In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States” beginning October 3, 2012. The exhibit, featuring masterpieces by famed surrealist women painters, began its journey at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, then Canada's National Museum of Fine Arts in Québec before making its final stop in Mexico City.

The Suicide of Dorothy Hale

Although Frida Kahlo’s famous painting of Dorothy Hale will not be on display during the final stop, other works by Frida will be featured along with many other historical and poignant works by famous surrealist women painters.

On March 31, 2012, author and playwright Myra Bairstow, presented a lecture titled “Frida Kahlo’s Portrait of Dorothy Hale: Dreams, Dramas and Revelations” in conjunction with the opening of the exhibit. During her riveting lecture, Myra presented the audience with never-before-seen documents, letters and photos that were uncovered during her decade-long research of the painting and the subject: Dorothy Hale.

View a portion of her interview with 10NBC:

A Recap of the Myra Bairstow’s Myth Series

2012-09-27T17:04:00.000-04:00

El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale

In the 1930s, Dorothy Hale was an actress, living in New York City. At age 33, on October 21, 1938, she was found dead on the sidewalk outside of her NYC apartment. Her death was ruled a suicide. On November 1, 1938, Dorothy’s friend, Clare Boothe Luce met famed surrealist Frida Kahlo at the Julien Levy Gallery. Clare hired Frida to paint a portrait of Dorothy as a gift for Dorothy’s grieving mother. Instead of a portrait, Frida painted an eerie rendition of Dorothy’s death. Clare was horrified by the painting, “El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale” and had sections of the canvas repainted. The picture was sent to storage for nearly thirty years. In the 1960s the painting resurfaced and was given to the Phoenix Art Museum by an ‘anonymous donor’.

Author and art scholar, Myra Bairstow became intrigued with the painting and began exploring the life and death of Dorothy Hale. Her research unearthed numerous mysteries and mistruths about Dorothy Hale. The following is a recap of Myra’s “Myth Series” that details Clare Luce’s inconsistent quotes and incorrect narratives about Dorothy Hale.

In Myth #1, we learned that Clare commissioned Frida Kahlo to paint a portrait of Dorothy for her grieving mother. Here is what Mrs. Luce said in Hayden Herrera’s biography of Frida Kahlo, “Suddenly it came to me that a portrait of Dorothy by a famous painter friend might be something her poor mother might like to have. I said so, and Kahlo thought so too. I asked the price, Kahlo told me, and I said, ‘Go ahead. Send the portrait to me when it is finished. I will then send it on to Dorothy’s mother.’ say: The inaccuracy with Clare Luce’s statement is that Dorothy’s mother had died when Dorothy was 16 years old. Dorothy’s father never remarried.
View: Myth #1

In Myths #2 and #3, we discussed the alleged suicide note left only to Clare. As Clare stated in Hayden Herrera’s biography of Frida Kahlo, “The only message she {Dorothy} had left in the apartment was a note addressed to me. She thanked me for my friendship and asked me to see that her mother, who lived in upstate New York, was notified so that arrangements could be made to have her buried in the family plot.” Again, the inaccuracy with Clare Luce’s statement is that Dorothy’s mother was not living when Dorothy died . In addition, Dorothy’s family never lived in upstate New York—they lived in Pennsylvania.
View: Myth #2, Myth #3

In Myth #4, it was continuously stated that Dorothy resided in a “top-story” suite in the Hampshire House in New York City. In fact, Dorothy lived at Hampshire House, but in a studio apartment on the 16th floor.
View: Myth #4

In Myths #5 and #6, Myra further explores the relationship between Dorothy and Roosevelt advisor, Harry Hopkins. In Clare’s interviews about Dorothy, she insinuated that Dorothy committed suicide after FDR ordered Hopkins to end his relationship with Dorothy. Interestingly enough, Dorothy was seeing another man before her untimely death. In interviews with Dorothy’s family members, Myra discovered the family believed that Dorothy was the one to break off the relationship with Hopkins.
View: Myth #5, Myth #6

In Myths #7 and #8, Clare expressed her distaste with Dorothy’s supposed lavish spending and did not want to attend the farewell party Dorothy was throwing for herself. Clare declined and told Dorothy to wear her “old Madame X black velvet” dress. last sentence--instead: Interestingly, Dorothy was hosting a party for Ambassador Laurence Steinhardt, not for herself. She was not wearing an old ‘Madame X’ dress, but a new dress she had recently purchased.
View: Myth #7, Myth #8

Myths Photo Gallery

Clare Boothe Luce	Dorothy Hale
Frida Kahlo	The note from Frida to Clare Boothe Luce
Receipt for black evening gown	Portion of the Montreal Gazette
Harry Hopkins, TIME Magazine July 1938	FDR (left) with Harry Hopkins (right)

National Hispanic Heritage Month

2012-09-19T07:27:00.000-04:00

From September 15th to October 15th, the United States joins together in celebration of the rich heritage, culture and contributions of Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America for National Hispanic Heritage Month.

According to the National Hispanic Heritage Month web site, the “day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.”

The Huffington post is celebrating by paying tribute to none other than Frida Kahlo with a photo gallery of some of Frida’s most iconic moments. Take a look at photo gallery: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/16/national-hispanic-heritage-month-2012-frida-kahlopictures-photos-style_n_1888126.html

We’d like to pay tribute to Frida by posting our most favorite image of the prolific artist. Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!

Gardner Hale’s Art Studio at 23 Charlton Street, New York City

2012-09-13T08:15:00.000-04:00

Gardner Hale, Dorothy’s husband, was famous for popularizing the fresco revival in the United States in the early 1900s. During the 1920s, his New York City studio was located at 23 Charlton Street - an area in New York City that is still known for its creative residents and art galleries.

Gardner Hale’s Art Studio at 23 Charlton Street, NYC, NY

In this letter to Mary Fanton Roberts, a journalist at the time, he expresses his hopes of explaining the term “fresco” to the world in an article. He also invites her to a cocktail hour at his and Dorothy’s apartment on Upper East Side.

Archive of American Art

Dorothy Donovan Hale & Princess Estelle Bernadotte of Sweden

2012-09-05T15:18:00.001-04:00

Before meeting muralist Gardner Hale, Dorothy spent time in Paris taking art classes. She shared a studio with her friend from New York, Estelle Manville, where the two studied and worked in the medium of sculpture.

In 1928, the same year Gardner and Dorothy married, Estelle married Swedish diplomat Count Folke Bernadotte. Read more about Estelle Bernadotte and her legacy.

Count Bernadotte and His Bride Leaving the Church
New York Time, December 2, 1928

Incidentally, Princess Victoria Bernadotte's newborn daughter's namesake has been rumored to take inspiration by that of Estelle Manville. Princess Victoria recently held the inauguration ceremony for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Stockholm. View the article and images from the event.

Dorothy and Gardner Hale’s New York City Apartment Building

2012-08-22T14:07:00.000-04:00

Dorothy and Gardner Hale lived at 240 East 79th Street in New York City after they were married. The Upper East Side building is located between Second and Third Avenues. As you can see, the Art Deco-style facade has been maintained and is in excellent condition.

Dorothy Hale’s Old Madame X Dress - Myth Number Eight

2012-08-07T09:54:00.002-04:00

When Dorothy was found dead on October 21, 1938, she was wearing a black evening gown. In Myth Number Seven, it is discussed that Clare Boothe Luce told Dorothy she looked best in her 'old Madame X black velvet.' The black gown Dorothy was found in was not 'old.' She had purchased the dress in early October, 1938 from designer Mabel McIlvain Downs. Here is the receipt for the dress.

Original receipt for black evening gown

Dorothy Hale’s Farewell Party. Myth Number Seven

2012-08-02T16:35:00.000-04:00

Clare Boothe Luce wrote that Dorothy Hale told her she was going on a very long trip to a secret destination and was giving herself a farewell cocktail party on the evening of October 20, 1938. Clare, explained that she had been annoyed at Dorothy’s financial debt and said ‘I’m sorry I can’t make your party. The thing you look best in is your old Madame X black velvet. Hope the trip lives up to your expectations.’

Dorothy was found dead the next morning. She had fallen sixteen stories from her apartment window at the Hampshire House on Central Park South.

Portion of The Montreal Gazette Oct. 22, 1938

On the evening of October 20th, Dorothy was not giving herself a farewell party. She was hosting a cocktail party in honor of Laurence Steinhardt, who would be appointed Ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1939 by President Roosevelt. In 1938, Steinhardt served as the United State’s Ambassador to Peru. (See image of Montreal Gazette clipping, "Dorothy Hale Dies in 16-Storey Fall" right)

According to Clare’s appointment book, she had a lunch scheduled with Dorothy on Friday, October 21st. If Dorothy was to leave the next day for her long, secret trip, it is peculiar she would have scheduled a lunch date.

Myra Bairstow
info@dorothyhale.com

Quotes and Passages from “Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo” by Hayden Herrera.

The Artistically Paralleled Lives of Dorothy Hale and Frida Kahlo

2012-07-28T13:17:00.002-04:00

Frida Kahlo and Dorothy Hale Were Both Married to Artists That Profoundly Contributed to the Revival of Fresco Painting: Diego Rivera and Gardner Hale

Diego Rivera (1886 - 1957) needs no introduction. He is considered one of the greatest Mexican artist of the 20th century, along with his extraordinary wife Frida Kahlo. Among Rivera’s many contributions to the international art world is his work in fresco painting. Fresco consists of painting on fresh plaster with colors ground in water only. At an early age, Rivera studied painting throughout Europe and was inspired by the Renaissance Frescoes of Italy. He chose this demanding and difficult medium which allowed him to express his passion for history, politics and humanity in a grand scale with murals for the public.

Gardner Hale

In the late 1920s, Chicago-born Gardner Gale (1894 -1931) would not have needed an introduction. He was considered one of the youngest and foremost painters in the revival of fresco painting in America. Married to Dorothy Donovan Hale, Gardner was also known for his portrait paintings and unique interior designs. Tragically, Gardner Hale died at age 37 on December 28, 1931 in an automobile accident. Gardner and Dorothy were temporarily living in California because he had been commissioned to paint several murals throughout the state.

Gardner Hale’s father was the noted professor, William Gardner Hale, who served as the first director of the American School of Classical Studies in Rome. His mother, Harriet Swinburne Hale, was a direct descendent of the poet Swinburne.

Like Diego Rivera, Gardner Hale began painting at an early age. In his youth, Gardner was tutored in Rome due to his father’s work. He also studied in Chicago and at the Academie Julien in Paris.

'Descent from the Cross, In a chapel at Pau, France.

Hale’s work in the medium of fresco was commissioned throughout France, Italy and London, but he insisted on bringing the neglected art of true fresco to America. His famous murals were in the merchants trust building in Chicago, the famous Cloud Club in the Chrysler building in New York City and throughout affluent homes in America.

Jose´ Clemente Orozco, who never personally met Gardner Hale, expressed his deepest respect and appreciation for the young painter’s art upon Hale’s tragic and premature death.

Featured in a 1927 issue of ‘House & Garden’.
"The striking wall decorations of this bathroom are not painted in oils but executed in that great medium of the Renaissance—fresco. The dado is marbleized and finished at the tip to represent a shelf. This delightful bathtub niche is in the Paris residence of Mrs. Selma Lewisohn and was painted by Gardner Hale."

The Hampshire House, NYC, Dorothy Hale's 1938 Residence Immortalized On Canvas By Frida Kahlo

2012-07-05T15:49:00.002-04:00

The phrase “Dedicated to Yesterday’s Charm and Today’s Convenience” is etched in stone and hangs proudly by the front entrance of the famed New York City skyscraper the Hampshire House, where Dorothy Hale lived until her untimely death in 1938. It still remains one of the most recognizable and historical landmarks in the Big Apple.

Located at 150 Central Park South, the Hampshire House boasts old-world allure and yesterday’s charm and has been called “home” by many notable socialites and celebrities, including Greta Garbo and Luciano Pavarotti.

On that cold morning of October 21, 1938 Dorothy Hale was found dead on the sidewalk in front of her apartment building at the Hampshire House. Just weeks later, she would be immortalized in Frida Kahlo’s famous painting of her “El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale.”

To this day, the Hampshire House remains one of New York City’s most famous landmarks and sought-after properties due to its locale to Central Park and 5th Avenue.

Was There Really An Engagement Between Harry Hopkins And Dorothy Hale Or Was It A Short-Lived Relationship? Myth Number 6

2012-06-27T15:43:00.000-04:00

Harry Hopkins, TIME Magazine July 1938

In July 1938, TIME magazine reported that WPA Administrator Harry Hopkins said “it is nobody’s god damn business” whether he was engaged to Dorothy Donovan Hale. Popular newspapers of the day began reporting on a possible engagement in March, 1938. Even LIFE magazine ran a blurb in its May edition.

The engagement was never confirmed by Harry Hopkins nor by Dorothy Hale. However, when Dorothy died on October 21, 1938 at age thirty-three, it was rumored by her friend Clare Boothe Luce that she committed suicide because Hopkins broke off their relationship. The Donovan family strongly disagreed with Luce and were confused by the many inaccurate statements made by Luce about Dorothy. The niece of Dorothy Hale said the family never accepted Dorothy’s death as a suicide. The Donovan family believed Dorothy broke off the relationship with Harry Hopkins.

Diego Rivera Introduced Frida Kahlo To Clare Luce

2012-05-31T15:09:00.000-04:00

Diego Rivera

Even though Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera were separated in November of 1938, they still kept in contact. Frida was preparing for her first one-woman exhibition in New York City at the Julien Levy Gallery. Diego suggested she meet Clare Boothe Luce, who was married to Time Magazine founder Henry Luce. Diego gave Frida a letter of introduction to Clare.

In his book, "My Art, My Life," Diego recounted: “I had imagined that Frida would find Mrs. Luce an interesting person to know, but she didn’t take to her at all. She found her cold, brittle and impenetrably defensive.”

Frida would meet Clare at her opening reception at the Levy Gallery on November 1, 1938. This was twelve days after their mutual friend, Dorothy Hale, died. Clare commissioned Frida to paint a portrait of Dorothy. Instead, Frida painted a haunting rendition of Dorothy falling to her death from an apartment window at the Hampshire House on Central Park South.

Clare was outraged and wanted to destroy the painting when she received it. Fortunately, the painting survived some slight overpainting and nearly twenty years in a storage facility. Today, the picture is not only hailed as one of Kahlo’s most brilliant paintings, but it has unraveled a fascinating mystery about the life and death of Dorothy. Perhaps Diego’s words give an interesting insight into why Frida intuitively painted what she felt instead of what she was hired to do by the powerful Clare Luce?

We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Clare Boothe Luce Said Harry Hopkins Broke Off His Relationship With Dorothy Hale--Or Did He? Myth Number Five

2012-05-25T09:44:00.000-04:00

FDR and Harry Hopkins

“Those in the know in Washington said that FDR had ordered Harry Hopkins to end his affair with Dorothy, and to marry instead Lou Macy, a close friend of the Roosevelts, which Hopkins did. Most of the gossip columnists made it brutally clear that Dorothy had been jilted.”
Clare Boothe Luce

Dorothy Hale died on October 21, 1938. Harry Hopkins, advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt, did not meet Lou Macy until the 1940s. This was over two years after Dorothy died. Harry Hopkins did eventually marry Lou Macy, but this was long after Dorothy's death.

In her famous interview about Dorothy Hale and the Frida Kahlo painting, Clare Luce insinuated that Dorothy committed suicide because Harry Hopkins broke off their relationship. The family of Dorothy Hale never believed she intended to marry Harry Hopkins. Dorothy’s father thought it was Dorothy who ended the relationship with Hopkins. Interestingly, Dorothy was seeing another man at the time of her death.

Myra Bairstow

info@dorothyhale.com

Quotes and Passages from “Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo” by Hayden Herrera

Frida Kahlo’s Words To Clare Boothe Luce: “ I Hope The Picture Pleased You, I Tried My Best To Do What I Felt.”

2012-05-15T16:39:00.000-04:00

I remember finding the letter from Frida Kahlo to Clare Luce in Clare’s archives at the Library of Congress. Frida’s words, “I tried my best to do what I felt” resonated deeply within me. This was pure Frida: authentic, unwavering and visceral.

Had Frida not painted her haunting depiction of Dorothy Hale, I never would have explored the enigmatic life and death of Dorothy. Had Frida painted what she was hired to do by Clare Luce - a beautiful portrait of Dorothy as a gift for the grieving mother - I never would have discovered that Dorothy’s mother was dead at the time of Dorothy’s death and that Clare Luce left disconcerting inaccuracies about Dorothy for history to record.

Frida Kahlo, however, left an eerie liberation for Dorothy Hale by memorializing a story that would one day be uncovered through her painting. It was never my intention to unearth such a provocative and controversial story. But having done so, it is my intention to share this remarkable journey that began when I first saw “El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale” by the extraordinary Frida Kahlo.

Dorothy Hale's "Top-Story" Suite at the Hampshire House. Myth Number Four.

2012-05-10T17:07:00.002-04:00

The Hampshire House, NYC
as depicted by Frida Kahlo in
El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale.

In October 1938, Dorothy Hale lived at the Hampshire House located at 150 Central Park South, New York City - as depicted in Frida Kahlo's famous painting.

Clare Boothe Luce stated that Dorothy lived in a ‘top-story’ suite at the Hampshire House. Dorothy did not live in a Penthouse Suite. She rented a studio apartment on the 16th floor.

Quotes and Passages from “Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo” by Hayden Herrera

Clare Boothe Luce, Who Commissioned a Portrait of Dorothy Donovan Hale, said She Received the Only Note Left by Dorothy Before Her Alleged Suicide—or Did She? Myth Number Three: The Suicide Note (Part Two)

2012-05-01T19:39:00.000-04:00

Clare Boothe Luce

Clare Boothe Luce gave an exclusive interview about Dorothy Hale and the painting entitled ‘The Suicide of Dorothy Hale’ to renowned Frida Kahlo scholar and author, Hayden Herrera. Mrs. Luce said, “The only message she {Dorothy} had left in the apartment was a note addressed to me. She thanked me for my friendship and asked me to see that her mother, who lived in upstate New York was notified so that arrangements could be made to have her buried in the family plot.”

As discussed in “Myth Two: The Suicide Note (Part One),” Dorothy’s mother died when Dorothy was just sixteen years old.

Several Inconsistencies in Clare Boothe Luce’s Account of Dorothy’s Family

In addition to Dorothy’s mother being dead at the time of her daughter’s death, Mrs. Luce said her mother lived in upstate New York. Dorothy’s family never lived in upstate New York. They were from Pennsylvania.

Quotes and Passages from “Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo” by Hayden Herrera

Myra Bairstow
info@dorothyhale.com

Clare Boothe Luce, Who Commissioned a Portrait of Dorothy Donovan Hale, Said She Received the Only Note Left by Dorothy Before Her Alleged Suicide— or Did She? Myth Number Two: The Suicide Note (Part One)

2012-04-25T16:26:00.000-04:00

Clare Boothe Luce

This is the story recorded in history: Frida Kahlo’s painting, “El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale” (The Suicide of Dorothy Hale) was commissioned by Clare Boothe Luce who said she received the only note left by Dorothy Hale before her alleged suicide. Mrs. Luce gave an exclusive interview about Dorothy and the painting to renowned Frida Kahlo scholar and author, Hayden Herrera. Here is what Mrs. Luce said, “The only message she {Dorothy} had left in the apartment was a note addressed to me. She thanked me for my friendship and asked me to see that her mother, who lived in upstate New York, was notified so that arrangements could be made to have her buried in the family plot.”

As I discussed in my previous post: “Frida Kahlo’s “The Suicide of Dorothy Hale” was Commissioned as a Gift for Dorothy’s Grieving Mother — Or Was It? Myth Number One”, I researched the life and death of Dorothy Donovan Hale beyond the one interview given by Mrs. Luce. I was shocked to learn that Dorothy’s mother had died when Dorothy was sixteen years old. I would later learn, after meeting members of the Donovan family, Dorothy’s father never remarried.

The note that Mrs. Luce said Dorothy left her before allegedly committing suicide, is another puzzling myth. Dorothy’s mother was dead at the time of Dorothy’s death. This follows the same inaccurate statement that was discussed in “Myth One” when Mrs. Luce said she commissioned the painting as a gift for Dorothy’s grieving mother.

When I first spoke to members of the Donovan family, they were perplexed and frustrated that Mrs. Luce had left behind these inaccuracies about Dorothy and her mother that are now recorded in countless books, articles and websites that chronicle the painting. As Dorothy Hale’s niece said to me many times, “My Aunt Dorothy deserves the respect of correct information.”

Myra Bairstow
info@dorothyhale.com

Quotes and Passages from “Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo” by Hayden Herrera

Frida Kahlo’s “The Suicide of Dorothy Hale” was Commissioned as a Gift for Dorothy’s Grieving Mother—Or Was It? Myth Number One

2012-04-23T09:25:00.002-04:00

This is the story recorded in history: Frida Kaho’s painting “El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale” (The Suicide of Dorothy Hale) was commissioned as a gift for Dorothy’s grieving mother. Clare Boothe Luce, who commissioned the painting, gave an exclusive interview about Dorothy Hale and the painting to renowned Frida Kahlo scholar and author, Hayden Herrera. Here is what Mrs. Luce said, “Suddenly it came to me that a portrait of Dorothy by a famous painter friend might be something her poor mother might like to have. I said so, and Kahlo thought so too. I asked the price, Kahlo told me, and I said, ‘Go ahead. Send the portrait to me when it is finished. I will then send it on to Dorothy’s mother.’

Clare Boothe Luce

Initially, I never doubted the account of Clare Boothe Luce. In fact, I was moved by the thoughtful gesture of Mrs. Luce and I admired her sensitivity. One of her dearest friends, Dorothy Hale, had allegedly committed suicide. Mrs. Luce was very kind to think of Dorothy Hale’s mother and orchestrate a memorial painting of her late daughter. I was personally saddened and shocked when I learned otherwise.

What did Dorothy's Mother Think of the Painting that Clare Commissioned?

Again, it was not that I questioned Mrs. Luce’s account. Instead, I was drawn to the painting and wanted to know more about Dorothy Hale and her friendship with Clare Luce and Frida Kahlo. I wanted to know about Dorothy’s mother and what she thought of the painting. I began to explore Dorothy’s life.

I was stunned to learn that Dorothy Hale’s mother died when Dorothy was sixteen years old.

I would later confirm that Dorothy’s father never remarried and that Dorothy’s family did not know Clare Boothe Luce.

Dispelling the Contradictions and Myths Recorded about the Life and Death of Dorothy Hale

There are an enormous number of books, articles, and web sites that discuss the painting, “El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale” (The Suicide of Dorothy Hale). Understandably, they reference Mrs. Luce’s account and have recorded that the painting was commissioned as a gift for the grieving mother of Dorothy Hale.

Now is the time to correct the inaccuracies surrounding Dorothy Hale and the painting. As I lecture and also work on a book about Dorothy Hale and the brilliant Frida Kahlo painting of her, it is a pleasure to begin sharing my research and dispelling the myths told about her. Early in my research it was important to me to find the family of Dorothy Hale and listen to their story. It has been a privileged to know members of the Donovan family.

As Dorothy Hale’s very own niece wrote many years ago: “My aunt deserves the respect of correct information.”

Myra Bairstow
info@dorothyhale.com

Quotes and Passages from “Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo” by Hayden Herrera