Worthington Whittredge

Desiring to place on the records a tribute to the memory of the late Worthington Whittredge the following Resolutions, offered by the Committee on Art, were adopted at the meeting of The Century Association April 2, 1910.

Whereas, the name of Worthington Whittredge which has stood for nearly half a century upon our list, has recently been removed therefrom by death;

Resolved, That the members of this Association, sorrowing for the loss thus sustained, do now record their high esteem for the many noble traits in his character, their admiration for the talents which justly won for him an eminent place in his profession and their appreciation of his uniform courtesy, ready humor and endearing kindliness: qualities which led The Century Association in the year 1900 to enroll his name upon its list of Honorary Members; qualities which have engraved his name upon the hearts of all who knew him;

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family of Mr. Whittredge.

George William Knox, Secretary
Monthly Meeting Minutes, 2 April 1910

Worthington Whittredge completed ninety years of life, for more than half of them a member of The Century. He was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1820 and began his study of painting in Cincinnati, where he resided from 1842 to 1849. Then for ten years he studied in Europe, responding especially to German art.

Returning to the United States he accompanied General Pope in a tour of inspection to the far West, in an effort to secure a true perspective of western scenery. He was President of the Academy in 1875 and 1876 and received repeated honors from his fellow artists. He said of himself: “I painted what I like to paint; it did not matter what it was. It might be a mountain peak or a sunlit brook, a deep recess in the forest or a bough of fruit blossoms.” His art did not seek the unusual, for it was intimate, leisurely, thoughtful, conscientious, appreciative, and his love for it, and none ever loved it more, never left him, and at ninety he was still at work painting with enthusiasm.

In his intercourse with his neighbors and his friends and the members of this Club the same characteristics manifested themselves—absolute truthfulness, sincerity, and true gentleness. He was regarded with the admiration and love which are given only to rare personalities. His neighbors joined in repeated and public manifestations of their regard, and The Century testified to its appreciation by putting him in the little group of honorary members. Nature, and art, and friendship, and life for Worthington Whittredge were filled with joy.

George William Knox
1911 Century Association Yearbook