*The Lost Ladies Collection
The incredible story of the loss and rediscovery of 250 drawings and paintings by T. R. Braithwaite
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 Braithwaite didn't like to part with any of his work and he frequently asked exorbitant prices or displayed his pictures as "NFS" (not for sale). This collection probably wouldn't exist today were it not for that reluctance. The Lost Ladies Collection represents most of Braithwaite's art work from 1940..to 1948. It remained intact, all but forgotten. for over 40..years, stored first in an attic, then in a barn, then in a garage. Braithwaite died in 1964 at the age of 61 and his wife, Martha, passed away two years later. Their daughter, Caroline, later sold their summer home in Whitingham, Vermont (see "Swayback"), not realizing that some 250 drawings and paintings, executed before she was born more than 20..years earlier, were still stored in the attic. Fortunately, the real estate agent found the pictures and notified one of Braithwaite's friends. The forgotten pictures were rescued and stored in a barn for the next 25 years. It was not until 1991 that Braithwaite's first daughter, Joan, first learned of the collection. Her half-sister, Caroline, gave the entire collection to Joan, keeping for herself only our dad's landscapes.and the Colonial Illustrations. |
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With the pictures in her possession - stored in her garage - Joan's mission has been to bring her father's talents to the attention of the art world and discriminating collectors. It was through this web site that Braithwaite's work came to the attention of Michael Hurshman, owner of Remarque Gallery in Whitewater, Colorado. Since then there have been some major milestones, as you will see from the updates below. In addition to the many nudes in the collection, there are also some "more traditional" subjects (Ballet Class and Traditional Subjects), as well as a number of 1930s advertising and display roughs (1930s Mixmaster Ad Layouts, 1930s Advertising Designs, and 1930s Commercial Work). Only one of about 26 known landscapes that Braithwaite painted in the 1940s and 50s are on line (see "Bayside"). I hope to add the rest this year. The search for recognition of Braithwaite's work now involves both of his daughters who are collaborating on a book of their father's art. The book will also include all of their father's landscape paintings which intend to add to this web site soon. |
UPDATE #1:
In October of 1998 , for the first time in more than 35 years,
Braithwaite's work was exhibited as the featured artist at Remarque Fine Art in Whitewater, Colorado.
Most recently (October 25 through November 5, 1999), his work was displayed
in a one-man show at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado.
UPDATE #2:
A perpetual art scholarship fund has now been endowed in my father's memory at Mesa State College in Colorado.
It is our hope that this web site will become a student project there and remain online for generations to come.
All proceeds from picture sales are donated to the scholarship fund.
UPDATE #3:
Braithwaite paintings have recently been acquired by The Mesa State College Foundation
and by The Western Colorado Center for the Arts.
UPDATE #4:
Our book is now a reality!
All this has resulted from contacts made through this web site.
*THE POWER OF THE INTERNET IS TRULY AWESOME !
VISIT THESE OTHER PAGES:
Biography of T. R. Braithwaite (1902-1964)
*Student years in Chicago. The Great Depression in New York. Nine-to-Five in Boston
Memories of My Dad
*Tom Selleck in the film "Lassiter"-- that's how I remember my father.
contactus@lostladies.com
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