Elliott & Fry (active London, 1863 - 1962)
Ignacy Jan Paderewski, about 1890
Platinum print, 25.1 x 20 cm (9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.)
The vertical black and white photograph of Ignacy Jan Paderwski features the Polish composer and pianist in profile, seated at a piano. Only a portion of the piano is seen on the right side of the photograph. Paderewski is seated facing the piano, upon an upholstered bench with fringe trim and a circular ornamental knob. He wears a dark striped suit with a large white bow tie. Paderwski’s hair is medium length and disheveled. He has a neat mustache and a small goatee. His gaze is focused in the direction of the music stand and his left hand rests on the black keys while his right hand sits atop his right knee, crossed relaxedly over his left leg. The photograph is signed by Paderewski, with a handwritten inscription in inkabove his signature that is emphasized with a large flourish.
Yellow Room
Commentary
In 1892, Isabella Stewart Gardner invited composer-pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941) to give a private performance at her Beacon Street home. Paderewski accepted on the condition that he would play for Gardner alone, so she agreed not to invite guests—but hid her friend Clayton Johns behind tapestries in an adjacent room so that he could listen in. She subsequently convinced Paderewski to play for students at the New England Conservatory of Music, paying him handsomely for both engagements.