My Dear Bartelli [Riccardo Bertelli]

Artist Frederic Remington (American, 1861 - 1909)

Recipient Riccardo Bertelli (1875 - 1955)

Date1905

Mediumpen and ink on paper

Dimensions7 7/8 x 5 1/16 in. (20 x 12.9 cm)

Credit LineBequest of H.J. Lutcher Stark, 1965

Object number11.107.1

ClassificationsDocumentary Artifacts

Label TextIn 1905, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published an article about a bronze foundry in Brooklyn. The newspaper praised the Roman Bronze Works. It lauded its owner, Riccardo Bertelli. He brought an ancient method of bronze casting to America. The lost wax method made it possible to reproduce intricate details of sculptural models. This letter indicates that Remington set this publicity in motion. He relished working with Bertelli and the foundry. Their casting produced the varied textures he used in The Rattlesnake. An early version of that sculpture debuted at Knoedler’s, the art gallery mentioned in the letter.

ProvenanceH.J. Lutcher Stark [1887-1965]; bequeathed September 2, 1965 to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation; accessioned to the Stark Museum of Art

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