Alfred Winfield Strahan (June 24, 1886 - June 15, 1965) was educated at the McDonogh School a “free school for poor boys” after the death of his father, a physician, when Strahan was a child. After graduating from the McDonogh School with commercial training in 1902, Strahan became employed with Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospitals at the age of 16. There he became the Secretary to the Board of Trustees, a position that he held for 29 years after rising from the ranks of bookkeeper and stenographer. In total, Strahan was employed with Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospitals for 63 years until his death. He is credited with helping to save the hospital’s records from the Great Fire of 1904 that were housed in the Chamber of Commerce building downtown.
The stability of his occupation allowed Strahan to pursue his lifelong passion for art. He became a member of several Baltimore Arts Clubs including the Charcoal Club in 1912 and later, the Beaux Arts Club founded by members of the Charcoal Club in 1937.
Strahan studied in Baltimore under S(amuel) Edwin Whiteman and Harper Pennington both painters trained at the private atelier Académie Julian in Paris. Strahan was known primarily as a painter of landscapes as he regularly depicted scenes along the Atlantic coast and the Chesapeake Bay Region, but was also an illustrator.
He served on several committees including the 1918 U.S. War Savings Poster Campaign, 1922 Charcoal Club exhibition held at the Peabody Galleries in Baltimore and Bal des Arts in Baltimore of the same year. He also participated in a sketch class which operated around a rotating group of directors and visiting critics as arranged by artists so as not to become a “copyist of his teacher and a slave to his particular method of painting.” In addition, Strahan’s work was exhibited in 1917 at the Peabody Galleries and the Charcoal Club from 1910s through 30s and posthumously in Gleason, FL and Boothbar Harbor, ME.
Strahan married Bertha Martha Morningstar and had one daughter Margaret R.
Alfred Winfield Strahan (June 24, 1886 - June 15, 1965) Papers reflect the life and activities of the Baltimore artist who was actively involved with the Charcoal Club and the Beaux Arts Club of Baltimore from the 1910s through 1930s as a member, student and administrator. The papers consist of a variety of material including artwork, correspondence, records, ephemera, medals, photographs and scrapbooks. The papers span the years of 1899-1963, with the bulk of correspondence dating from 1937 to 1941.
The majority of correspondence relates to the Beaux Arts Club which was founded in 1937 by former members of the Charcoal Club. The collection features correspondence relating to the administration of the Charcoal Club. None of the correspondence appears to be addressed to Strahan, but to Harry P. Clifton, Robert F. Klebe and others.
Also included are medals awarded at the annual Beaux Arts Club "Bal des Arts" costume ball including medals handcrafted by members. In addition, the collection contains original artwork by Strahan as well as his colleagues and mentors including Harper Pennington, James McDougal Hart and James I. Billmyer.
The collection is arranged in three series: Personal Papers, Charcoal Club and Beaux Arts Club.
The Alfred Winfield Strahan Papers are arranged into the following series and subseries:
The collection is open for research.
Records are the physical property of the Archives, Baltimore Museum of Art. Copyright for materials produced by the Baltimore Museum of Art is held by the museum. All other materials, except in cases where material has passed into public domain, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult a Library staff member.
Alfred Winfield Strahan; Gift of estate of Strahan's wife, Bertha Martha Morningstar; Gift of the estate of Strahan's daughter, Margaret Strahan Estate;
Processed by Anna J. Clarkson, Fall 2010 and Amanda McKnight, Winter 2011.
Alfred Winfield Strahan (June 24, 1886 – June 15, 1965) Papers, Baltimore Museum of Art Archives
“Art Exhibition Tomorrow: Contemporary American Artists to Show Work at Peabody,” January 31, 1922, pg. 13. Baltimore Sun.
“Charcoal Club Exhibit Attracts Lovers of Art,” February 11, 1917, pg. 15. Baltimore Sun.
“Charcoal Club Has New Policy,” February 23, 1936, pg. SC4. Baltimore Sun.
“Deaths: Alfred W. Strahan,” June 18, 1965, pg. 30. Baltimore Sun.
“Hunting Lodge of Grand Duke In Plan of Local Bal Des Arts,” December 28, 1922, pg. 5. Baltimore Sun.
“Jury Selects Exhibits: Passes on Pictures and Sculpture For Charcoal Club,” January 22, 1918. Baltimore Sun.
“No-Jury Exhibition: Charcoal Club Show of Art in All Mediums To Open Tuesday Evening – 50 on List,” November 10, 1935, pg. SO6. Baltimore Sun.
“Rites Set For A.W. Strahan, Hospital Board Secretary,” June 17, 1965, pg. 19. Baltimore Sun.
“U.S. To Hold Poster Contest: Big Competition Will Promote War Thrift – Students Eligible,” March 27, 1918.
WWI Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Record for Alfred Winfield Strahan.
“33 Artists Selected: Their Works To Be Shown At Peabody Galleries,” February 2, 1915. Baltimore Sun.
Personal Papers
Scope and Contents
Series consists of items relating to the personal and artistic life of Alfred Strahan (1886-1965) and contains materials dating from 1899-1963. The series includes study aids, works of art by the artist and works of art by the artist's mentors. In addition, the series contains ephemera such as awards, invitations and exhibition brouchures. Also contained are several photographs of still lifes and nudes collected by the artist and used for study. The series is divided into three subseries: Artwork, Ephemera and Photographs.
Artwork
Arrangement
The subseries of artwork is arranged by media including drawings, paintings, watercolors & gouaches. Each media grouping contains work by a various artists. Works are both attributed and not attributed. Identified artists include: James I. Billmyer, James McDougal Hart, Harper Pennington and Alfred W. Strahan. The works range in detail from quick sketches to complete compositions, pastoral landscapes to cartoons.
Drawings
Sketchbook. undated
Sketchbook. undated
Sketchbook. undated
Untitled (Cartoon "Quite like the Bard - I declare"). undated
Untitled (Cartoon of Strahan). undated
Untitled (charcoal drawing). undated
Untitled (Hoodlum Hollow Cartoon). undated
Paintings
Untitled (landscape). undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 1 | |||
Untitled (landscape) by James McDougal Hart. 1899
Untitled (pastoral landscape) by James McDougal Hart. undated
Untitled (Portrait of a woman). undated
Untitled (Bal des Arts). undated
Watercolors and Gouaches
Untitled by James McDougal Hart. 1899
Untitled (Portrait) by Harper Pennington. 1916
Untitled (Portrait) by Harper Pennington. 1916
Untitled (Portrait) by Harper Pennington. 1916
Untitled (sailing scene). undated
Untitled (boy with yellow cap). undated
Untitled (landscape). undated
Untitled (landscape with cloud). undated
Untitled (Wye Oak). undated
Untitled (French Village Scene) by Harper Pennington. undated
Untitled (French Village Scene) by Harper Pennington. undated
Untitled (French Village Scene) by Harper Pennington. undated
Untitled (Boys, one rowing). undated
Untitled (Organ Grinder). undated
Untitled (Landscape). undated
Untitled (Water scene, Rosyln, Long Island). undated
Untitled (Water scene, Rosyln, Long Island). undated
Ephemera
Scope and Contents
The Ephemera subseries contains materials dating from 1912 to 1963 and includes exhibition pamplets, personalized invitations to the Charcoal Club's Bal des Arts events, awards and an artist scrapbook of clippings from nude magazines collected for study. The subseries is arranged chronologically with the exception of the artist's scrapbook with has been kept together in its entirety seperately.
Artist's Scrapbook. circa 1934
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 2 | |||
Ephemera. 1912, 1919-1921, 1929, 1948, 1963
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 3 | |||
Photographs
Scope and Contents
The Photographs subseries contains material dating from the mid to late 19th century to 1947. The material is arranged by media and includes: cabinet cards, Kodak Minicolor prints, silver gelatin prints of different sizes and tintypes. The majority of the photographs appear to be studies for artistic purposes. The older cabinet cards and tin types depict still life scenes of fruit most likely sold in sets to artists while the later Kodak Minicolor Prints and silver gelatin prints appear to be taken by the artist and depict various flora, fauna, landscapes and seascapes peppered with candid shots of the artist, his wife and friends painting and relaxing.
Cabinet Cards undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 4 | |||
Untitled (Still life with vase of branches and greenery and arrangement of fruit on a table). undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 4 | |||
Untitled (Still life with vase in background and fruit on plate in foreground). undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 4 | |||
Untitled (Still life with two plates leaned against wall with silverware in foreground). undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 4 | |||
Kodak Minicolor Prints circa 1946-1947
"Balto" circa 1946-1947
| Box | Item | ||||
| Mixed materials | P1 | 1 | |||
Skyline 1947 1947
| Box | Item | ||||
| Mixed materials | P1 | 2 | |||
Untitled (Skyline Drive?) circa 1947
| Box | Item | ||||
| Mixed materials | P1 | 3 | |||
Silver Gelatin Prints undated
Untitled (Chesapeake Bay Scenes?) undated
| Box | Item | ||||
| Mixed materials | P1 | 4 | |||
Untitled (Shorelines) undated
| Box | Item | ||||
| Mixed materials | P1 | 5 | |||
Silver Gelatin Prints 1919, 1922, undated
Untitled (Alfred Strahan with Portrait of a Woman) undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 5 | |||
Portrait of S. Edwin Whiteman 1919-1922, undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 5 | |||
Tintypes undated
Tintypes (Fruit). undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 6 | |||
Tintypes (Fruit). undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 7 | |||
Charcoal Club
Scope and Contents
The Charcoal Club series contains ephemera, goverance and photographic materials dating from 1917 to 1934. Highlights include a wide selection of Bal des Arts medals both mass produced and by artists depicting the various ball themes over the years including Egyptian, Medieval and Roman. It is not known whether the medals were given to those in attendence or whether they acted as awards. In addition, the collection contains four badly deteriorated cellulose nitrate negatives depicting a couple in presumably their Bal des Arts costumes. The series also contains membership lists from the club dated 1934 and provides a revealing glimse into Baltimore's rich artistic community and includes such names as: Aubrey Bodine, Dano Jackley, Max Schallinger and William Reginald Watkins. The series is divided into three subseries: Ephemera, Governance and Photographs.
Ephemera
Scope and Contents
The subseries Ephemera contains one folder of printed ephemera arranged chronologically and spans the years 1910-1929. The folder contains a newspaper clipping relating to the Charcoal Club, several exhibition pamplets, invitations and program for the club's Bal des Arts. In addition to the folder of printed materials, the subseries contains four boxes housing fourteen Bal des Arts medals. The medals appear to be both mass produced and handcrafted by artists depicting the various ball themes over the years including Egyptian, Medieval and Roman. It is not known whether the medals were given to those in attendence or whether they acted as awards.
Bal des Arts Medals 1917-1965
General Note
Bal des Arts Medals
Some medals for the Bal des Arts are dated while others are not. However, most installations of the Bal des Arts were covered in the Baltimore Sun and its unique themes. Through further research, medals may be dated based on their decorative motifs. Please refer below to a list comprised by Anna Clarkson of various balls' themes and corresponding years from Baltimore Sun Archives:
1914 Theme unknown - prizes awarded to Chinese Mandarian, Moorish and French Revolutionary costumes
1915 Flowers (?)
1916 Village of Fairyland (modeled on an estate in Brittany. Pierrot, clowns, harlequins, Psyches...)
1918 United States Patriotic (American Eagle with thunderbolts etc...)
1920 Alsatian Mountain Village (invitations done by James Doyle)
1921 Indian Garden (with giant Buddah and hanging garden)
1922 Cleopatra's Egyptian Temple
1923 Russian Grand Duke's Hunting Lodge (Silver Stars given to each member for admittance)
1924 Old Morocco and Ancient Spain in the 15th Century
1925 Night on Mars
1926 Old Arabia (Sultans and Moors etc...invitations designed by Everett Lord Bryant)
1927 Early American (Aztecs, Toltecs, Latin American Pre-Columbian etc..)
1928 Davy Jones' Locker (i.e. Bottom of the Sea)
1929 Mount Olympus
1930 East of the Suez (invitation "Oriental painting" by W. Reginald Watkins, medal by Benjamin T. Kurtz)
1931 Reign of the Robots
1932 Back to Bohemia (all costumes welcome, no theme, "Pre-lenten Mardi Gras spirit")
1933 Carnival des Artistes, Beyond the River Styx (the stage was decorated as an inferno with Satan) Bal des Arts, Holiday in Hollywood.
1934 Carnival Theme, Carnival at Nice
Bal Des Arts. 1919
Bal Des Arts. circa 1920-1929
Charcoal Club. 1965
General Note
Archives of American Art Journal, Volume 25, Nos. 1 & 2, 1985. "John McGrath, president of the Charcoal Club in 1935, and the club's secretary, Lawrence W. Sagle, confessed to concocting Glutz, "Baltimore's premiere modernist but not until they had sold a few of the spurious paintings. With the Glutz hoax, they hoped to elevate good art by poking fun at bad abstract paintings......"
Untitled (Art Noveau style profile of a woman with black ribbon). undated
Star - 3 1/2 Bal des Arts. 1923
Bal des Arts. 1923
Bal des Arts (Geometric floral arrangement in the Art Noveau style). undated
Bal des Arts (Face of pharoh and two cobras). circa 1922
Untitled (Golden eagel on ribbon). circa 1918
Untitled (Face with open mouth and ribbons). undated
Bal Des Arts. 1922
Charcoal Club. 1953
Bal des Arts (Face). undated
Bal des Arts Baltimore. 1917
Ephemera. 1910, 1919-1922, 1929
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 8 | |||
Governance
Scope and Contents
The subseries Governance contains two membership lists from the club dated 1934 and provide a revealing glimse into Baltimore's rich artistic community and includes such names as: Aubrey Bodine, Dano Jackley, Max Schallinger and William Reginald Watkins. The lists are arranged chronologically while members names are arranged alphabetically.
List of Members. October 5, 1934
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 9 | |||
List of Members. November 15, 1934
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 10 | |||
Photographs 1924
Scope and Contents
The subseries Photographs are arranged by media including cellulose nitrate negatives and silver gelatin prints and span the years from 1924 to unknown. The cellulose nitrate negatives are in very poor condition however, it can be discerned that they depict individuals in costumes presumably attending the Bal des Arts ball. The silver gelatin prints picture activities of the Charcoal Club including men at their easels in class and a large meeting of members (presumably) in a great hall.
Cellulose Nitrate Negatives. 1926
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 11 | |||
Silver Gelatin Prints. undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 12 | |||
Beaux Arts Club
Scope and Contents
The Beaux Arts Club series contains materials from 1937-1940 and is divided into four subseries: Correspondence, Ephemera, Financial and Governance. The large bulk of the subseries is correspondence which relates to the administration of the club including letters to the press abd members from topics ranging from upcoming exhibtions and events to the issues of back dues and membership fees. As previously noted, the bulk of correspondence is not addressed to nor sent from Alfred W. Strahan. It is unclear how Strahan came into possession of the club's records although he did have a habit of rescuing organization's papers as in the case of the Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospitals for which he worked for many years. The financial records contained in the series reflect the constant struggles of the club to make members' dues currents, to pay the rent on Linden Street and create revenue from their many festive events sponsored by the club. In addition, the series also contains vital documents in the Governance subseries such as constitution & by-laws, meeting minutes, membership lists, and a small selection of speeches.
Correspondence
Scope and Contents
The subseries Correspondence contains records arranged alphabetically by subject or personal name and then organized chronologically. Of special interest is the correspondence folder titled "Events" which outlines the activities of the club from 1937-1940 and contains form letters sent to various members of the press, public and members. These letters detail such events hosted by the club including the "Baltimore Museum of Art Jury Rejection Show," "Charles M. Berg Oil Paintings," and "Carnaval Montmartre Benefit."
B 1937-1940
Baltimore Chamber of Commerce 1940
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 13 | |||
Banks, Clinton 1937
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 13 | |||
Buck, Helen 1937
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 13 | |||
Bartules, Joseph 1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 13 | |||
Beaux Arts Institute of Design 1937
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 13 | |||
Berg, Mr. 1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 13 | |||
C 1937
Cumberland Art Committee (Maryland) Insert Note. Sparks, William Sheppard see: Cumberland Art Committee 1937
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 14 | |||
E-F 1937-1939
Elterman, John H. 1937
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 15 | |||
Exhibition List. 1937-1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 15 | |||
Frock, George W. 1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 15 | |||
Events 1937-1940
Officer Nominations, September 22, 1937
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Christmas Eve Open House, December 24, 1937
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Baltimore Museum of Art Jury Rejection Show, April 3, 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Membership Dues Owed, August 13, 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Special Notice, Coming Club Activities, September 12, 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Membership Dues Owed, September 23, 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Membership Dues Owed, September 26, 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Election of Officers, October 17, 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
First Annual Student Exhibition, October 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Committee Chairmanships, November 3, 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Armistice Day Studio Dance, November 12, 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Glen Cooper Henshaw: Pastels, November 13-20, 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
W.H. Robinson: Photographs, December 4 - December 18, 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Christmas Eve Open House, December 24, 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
New Year's Eve Frolic, December 31, 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Charles M. Berg: Oil Paintings, January 8-22, 1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Illustrated Lecture by Dr. Frank P. Albright, Domesitc Art at Olynthus, January 19, 1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Jawne Allen: Watercolors, February 5-19, 1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Dano Jackley: Etchings and Watercolors, March 13-26, 1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Clarence Gettier: Black and White Sketches, April 7 - April 16, 1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Carnaval Montmartre Benefit, April 22, 1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
The Life of the Bee, Ballet, May 16, 1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Card Party Benefit, May 18, 1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
The Vinigar Tree, Benefit Performance, September 26, 1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Election of Officers, January 11, 1940
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
Pastels by the National Society of Pastelists, February 4 - February 18, 1940
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 16 | |||
J-T 1937-1940
Junior Association of Commerce 1940
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 17 | |||
Legg, Joseph B. 1937
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 17 | |||
Lowe, William (Bill) Schoeler 1937
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 17 | |||
Steuart, Richard D. 1937
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 17 | |||
Russell, William Henry 1937
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 17 | |||
McConnel, Mr. 1938
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 17 | |||
Pennington, Reighter 1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 1 | 17 | |||
Ephemera. 1939, undated
Scope and Contents
The subseries Ephemera consists of one folder which spans 1939 to unknown. The information is minimal and highlights consist of exhibition brochures for Josef M. Arentz & Dano Jackley and blank stationary reflecting changes in the club's leadership.
Financial Paperwork.
Scope and Contents
The financial records subseries spans 1937-1940 and consists of three folders that reflect the constant struggles of the club to make members' dues currents, to pay the rent on Linden Street and derive revenue from the many festive events sponsored by the club. The records are comprised largely of receipts and bills from many now defunct Baltimore breweries, catering companies and other local businesses. The financial records have been left in the order in which they were found in. In some cases financial records are arranged chronologically while in other instances by company or subject while still in other instances no organization can be discerned.
Governance
Scope and Contents
The subseries Governance consists of records spanning 1937-1941 and contains the club's constitution & by-laws, meeting minutes, membership lists, and a small selection of speeches. Of special intrest are the extensive meeting minutes from 1937-1941. The first minutes of January 28, 1937 illustrate the intention of former members of the Charcoal Club to form a new club without the old "distasteful" conditions of the old club. While, the last minutes dated April 10, 1941 mention the need to vacate the club's premises no later than April 12th and an agreement to move the club to "The Norman Studio" at 518 N. Eutaw Street.
Applications for Membership. 1938-1939
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 2 | 4 | |||
Applications for Membership. 1940
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 2 | 5 | |||
By-Laws. 1937
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 2 | 6 | |||
Constitution. 1937
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 2 | 7 | |||
Licenses. 1937-1940
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 2 | 8 | |||
Meeting Minutes. 1937-1941
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 2 | 9-10 | |||
Membership Cards. undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 2 | 11 | |||
Membership Lists. undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 2 | 12 | |||
Officers and Committee Chairs. undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 2 | 13 | |||
Writings and Speeches. 1938, undated
| Box | Folder | ||||
| Mixed materials | 2 | 14 | |||
