Jervis McEntee Diaries

Friday December 23, 1887

Jervis McEntee Diary Entry, December 23, 1887, from the Jervis McEntee papers, 1850-1905, in the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution

Friday, Dec 23, 1887 Still cold. Smith called this morning and has taken eight of the little sketches, four of them in frames, in his collection for Jacksonville Fla. He is to sell them at $50 each if he can or $75 for two or [?] to see what he can do with them. He gave me a receipt for [?]. He seems a live yanker and I would like to get him interested in selling my pictures. I worked on my large picture and [?] went over my winter picture strengthening it and I think improving it. I work however with no enthusiasm. No one comes here and I feel that I am passing out of notice. One needs some stimulus to work and I feel that I have none. I have a sad feeling of wanting to shrink into myself and would rather be at home than here, although I know I will not be happy there. I went up and spent the evening with Eastman. His eyes are still troubling him but he is at work. We went up to his studio and he showed me six or seven portraits ready nearly to be sent home. He has a stimulus and he has cause to lament every moment lost. People want his work while I hardly know how to pass the dull days. Julia Donaldson came this evening to spend the Holidays with Mary.

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