In 1912, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Ella and I started on our vacation November 9th to Cincinnati and Asheville, N. Car., which is all written up in detail elsewhere. Arrived home from our vacation December 8th. Four good weeks. Had a fine trip. Christmas day was a good one. We had Frank with us, which made a big family reunion. At the close of this year’s business, I have no kick to make. I only regret not being able to do more sketching, as I found it too cold in North Carolina. I am sorry that we did not go away down south to the Gulf. I think we would have found it at least warm, if nothing else.”
One stop on his trip was in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Of his visit to the city, the “Chattanooga News” reported, “Chattanooga Catches the Eye of the Artist. Vice-President Moses, of Sosman & Landis Scenic Studios, delighted.”(15 Nov. 1912, page 2).
The article headline included “LIKES THE LOCAL SCENERY. Chooses Chattanooga Vicinity as a ‘Promised Land’ for Artists to Revel In.” The article continued:
“Thomas G. Moses, vice-president of the Sosman & Landis scenic studios of Chicago, and one of America’s most distinguished artists, has spent several days in Chattanooga and the vicinity, with a view to establishing a post for the Palette and Chisel Art Club of Chicago. He has been sent out by the club in search of new fields, Sketch grounds all over Europe and America are discovered in this way. One or two men are sent out in advance, and they find ‘the promised land’ they herald the good tidings to the eager artists in waiting.
Mr. Moses is enthusiastic over the natural scenery of Chattanooga and its surroundings, and has made preliminary arrangements for the post.
In time of peace and plenty the greatest steps in art and science have been made. Midsummer Chattanooga, in all its glory, will be painted by American celebrities. The pictures will be done by the greatest artists, will be exhibited in the famous galleries, and will bring great prices.
So Palette and Chisel Club of Chicago will flock to Chattanooga and form a little colony. Artists are like gold-seekers; let one find a small pocket, and there will be a stampede.
The well-known Palette and Chisel club has furnished the art world many bright lights. They have secured the “Prix de Rom” plum, which carries with it three years in Rome and $3,000. The east winner was Mr. Savage, with E. Martin Hennings a close second.
Mr. Moses agrees that this is a ‘garden spot of America.’ He says:
‘We have painted much in the Rockies, but they are too large and the air is too clear. What we want is mist and a little smoke. They will be great factors in producing the poetical sketches we find here. The delicate opalescent coloring of the distant mountains is greatly enhanced by the drifting mists that float about your valleys.’
A magnificent view of Chattanooga 14×28, done by Moses, can be seen at the manufactures’ association headquarters on Market Street. It was taken from North tower on Missionary ridge, and has been presented to the association by Mr. Riffe.
Mr. Moses left Chattanooga Thursday morning on an early train for Asheville, where he may establish a second post. By his side is his charming and companionable wife, who is interested in all movements of art. In his baggage were many sketches of this location; in his mind were dreams of burnt sienna clay and opalescent coloring.
The sketches will be reproduced on large canvas and will be exhibited next spring to the Salmagundi Club, of New York City, of which Thomas Moses is a member. They consist largely of rustic scenes, rugged mountains, dense forests, falling waters and babbling brooks. These are the delightful avenues through which Mr. Moses walked to renown.
The exhibition of these scenes will be made with a view of inducing the members of the Salmagundi club to this ‘garden spot of America’ that is unlimited for the artist in scope and variety.
The Salmagundi Club is one of the most conservative in all Europe and America. No man enters uninvited; no man is invited under the age of fifty years. Some of the well-known artists are Charles Warren Eaton, R. M. Shurtleff, J. Francis Murphy, H. A. Vincent, George Innis, Jr., and Walter C. Hartson.
If this club, too, accepts the challenge next summer, Chattanooga, in all its glory, will indeed be painted.”
To be continued…
