Week 8: Eureka! Oh, the Discoveries!

Week 8 began with more artwork.  Eighteen pieces, in fact!  (It was a busy day...)  Though I did many objects, I am focusing on four pieces for this blog entry.

David Paige was an artist who accompanied Richard Byrd on his second expedition.  A thoroughly detailed and wonderful online exhibit already exists for his pastels that helped document the journey, but I discovered two additional oil paintings in the collection that were previously unknown.  Though the paintings are not signed by David Paige, his artistic style, texture, and colors are unmistakable.  This was a very exciting moment for my supervisor who quickly showed me a published book of Paige's art for comparison.  The two paintings that were found depicts a plane with five onlookers and a landscape of mountains and snow peaks. 

Additionally, I found two portrait sketches of men that were also done by David Paige.  Neither men had been identified in the finding aid or within the container, but Laura quickly returned to Paige's art book and showed me a photo opposite the title page.  The photograph shows David Paige sketching one of the men!  The photograph identified the man as being Harold June, one of the pilots of the expedition.  It was an unbelievable moment.  I decided that photographing the sketches would not show the detail and precision of the strokes.  I chose to scan the sketch and then digitally inset the photograph of David Paige sketching him.  (See: Sketch of Harold June)  

The second sketch was a bit more difficult to figure out.  Laura guessed right away whom she thought he was and (after much researching), I agreed.  In order to find the answer, however, I used a different mode of reference.  Laura gave me a DVD of the film "Return of Byrd's First Expedition," which (though misleading) was not about the first expedition, but the second expedition on which David Paige was present.  I initially thought that perhaps I would find some information about David Paige and see him sketching more men.  However, after the 50-minute long video, not a single mention of the artist was included.  But, all was not lost!  Of the hundreds of men who were in the film, I actually found the man in the second sketch.  The man, Edgar F. Cox, was very recognizable, with a long face and nose.  Instead of capturing a screen-shot of the DVD, Laura said that she had several rich digital master images that showed his face better.  I found one where he was wearing the exact same hat as in the sketch and to say I was excited is an understatement!  (See: Sketch of Edgar Cox)

It was great to be able to identify this work by David Paige and to also identify the men in the sketches through various other sources.  It was a very full day and I am pleased to announce that the total number of artifacts represented on the media site is up to 90.  I cannot wait to see what else I find in the boxes to come.  It is almost like opening presents!  

In: 8 a.m.

Lunch: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Out: 5 p.m.
On-site hours completed today: 8
On-site hours completed total: 60.75
On-site hours left: 39.25