The Met acquired its first Demuth in 1923, when it purchased this floral study of zinnias and pinecones from the artist's dealer, Charles Daniel. Writing to Stieglitz, Demuth discusses his mixed emotions at being chosen before such artists as Dove, Hartley, and O'Keeffe (only Marin's work had previously been acquired in 1921): "Why mine should be there and others missing, —well, the gods alone can tell. But as you say, it may lead to something. Of course, I don't want to seem a pose as not being pleased… —for I am - but also a bit embarrassed…They did take one of my best things, —which is lucky or whatever." To collector A.E. Gallatin, who donated a second Demuth watercolor, Cyclamen, to The Met in 1923, Demuth quipped: "Must one now I wonder feel 'old mastery.' I hope not."
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Inscription: Signed and dated (lower center, in graphite): C. Demuth – / 1918 –
the artist, Lancaster, Pa. (1918–23; on consignment to the Daniel Gallery, New York; sold by the Daniel Gallery to MMA)
New York. Whitney Museum of American Art. "Charles Demuth Memorial Exhibition," December 15, 1937–January 16, 1938, no. 13 (as "Flowers").
New York. Whitney Museum of American Art. "Pioneers of Modern Art in America," April 9–May 19, 1946, no. 28 (as "Flowers").
Circulating exhibition organized by the Walker Art Center. "Watercolor U.S.A.," tour of Latin American cities, May 1946–1947, not in catalogue.
Museum of Modern Art, New York. "Charles Demuth," March 7–June 11, 1950, no. 77.
New York. Wildenstein. "A Special Exhibition of Paintings by American and French Modern Masters," May 4–28, 1955.
Kent, Conn. Kent School. "American Painting, 1906–1956," September 12–November 29, 1955, no catalogue.
Tampa. Florida State Fair. "A Loan Exhibition of American Painting," February 1–12, 1966, unnum. brochure (as "Flowers").
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "200 Years of Watercolor Painting in America," December 8, 1966–January 29, 1967, no. 199 (as "Flowers").
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "American Paintings, Drawings and Watercolors from the Museum's Collections," October 1–December 7, 1969, no catalogue.
Staten Island Museum. "20th Century American Paintings from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," April 9–28, 1978, brochure no. 13 (as "Flowers").
Seattle Art Museum. "American Watercolors from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Selection 1," February 7–March 31, 1991, no. 147 (as "Flowers").
Tulsa. Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art. "American Watercolors from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Selection 1," April 20–June 15, 1991, no. 147.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "American Watercolors from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," October 15–December 10, 1991, no. 147.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Charles Demuth," May 9–August 31, 2003, no catalogue.
Edward Alden Jewell. "Demuth at the Whitney: Memorial Exhibition Is a Comprehensive Setting Forth of the Artist's Work." New York Times (December 19, 1937), p. 157.
Emily Farnham. "Charles Demuth: His Life, Psychology, and Works." PhD diss., Ohio State University, Columbus, 1959, vol. 2, pp. 529–30, no. 310, calls it "Flowers with Pine Cones".
Albert Ten Eyck Gardner. History of Water Color Painting in America. New York, 1966, p. 127, pl. 112.
Charles Demuth (American, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 1883–1935 Lancaster, Pennsylvania)
1916
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