Larsh - Theodora
"Dora Larsh comes back home to Montgomery County"
By Karen Zach, Around the County - The Paper of Montgomery County
Thursday, May 21, 2020 4:00 AM
Two beautiful girls were born in Crawfordsville to a man in the hardware business (Tinsley’s) and his wife. One, TheoDora would grow to become a world known miniature artist while the other, Marie, younger by a year, was just as talented (perhaps a bit more geared toward music but said to be equal to Dora in art, as well).
When the daughters graduated from our local high school, the parents moved to Indianapolis, where their father, John Larsh, was a travel agent. At least Dora and possibly Marie studied for awhile at Herron, as well as Oberlin College in Ohio and lived in Chicago together for at least two years, while taking classes at the Chicago Art Academy. All was going superbly (both possessing brilliant minds, fun and energetic personalities, and much beauty). They were endeared as students and amazing women while studying their chosen fields. Then tragedy struck. Marie, age 22, told her sister that she didn’t feel well.
It was decided that although she was up and about it was best for her to go to her parents’ in Indianapolis. It was planned she rest, take a short vacation then return to Chicago to continue her schooling. However, she never became well, the best doctors tagging her with walking typhoid fever. She remained up and reasonably strong until pneumonia sat in and she grew weaker, even though everyone expected her to get well up until a few hours before she died. She passed away August 29, 1901 and requested to be buried in her home town of Crawfordsville in Oak Hill cemetery where many of her relatives awaited her, albeit way too soon. Her parents and sister would someday be there, too.
Dora stayed with her parents in Indianapolis so they could all heal together. She worked as a commissioned artist and probably took more classes as she was a life-long learner.
About the year 1907 she and her parents moved to Chicago where her father had a large contracting company and she worked awhile, then went on to New York to the Art Students League. Then she decided she was going to Europe to learn more about what she loved the most – miniature portrait work. She was told by almost everyone she couldn’t do it but off she went with a ticket, $200 and various plans, one to work with some famous artists. London and Paris were two of the places she went, even working many months in Paris’ museums, copying French miniatures for the government that had been damaged. It was an excellent opportunity for her. When she arrived back in New York a few days before Christmas in 1913, where her parents were now living, she had a total of $20 but an advanced knowledge of painting miniatures for which she became so well known.
Loved her motto: “Better my best!” I’m remembering that in my writing from now on! Among those she did the tiny portraits for were many actresses, her husband (she did a 50-50 marriage, marrying in Philadelphia in 1920, quite impressive for the time as she did not want to be dependent upon anyone), Francis Dane Chase. Most of the time she went by her maiden name throughout her career, signing her work in various ways, Theodora Larsh (by the way she was named for Wavelandite Theodore Clemens -T.C.- Steele, famous portrait painter so perhaps it was a given as she won her first state prize at age 7) however in articles, on many programs where she spoke, she sometimes went by Dora Larsh Chase and several other versions, as well. F.D. Chase loved Crawfordsville as did Dora and they visited her relatives, and are both buried in Oak Hill, even though to my knowledge, they never lived here together. They lived in hotels most of the time, as he was a manager of some very large New York ones, especially Hotel Colonial on Herald Square and Hotel Salsbury which was close to her beautiful salon in Carnegie Hall.
In a Brooklyn Daily Eagle article 14 Aug 1927, writer Sascha Sussman did an amazing job describing Theodora Larsh. She had “deep brown eyes that always seem to be on the point of asking curious questions; a quizzical little laugh that puts you at ease as it makes you know it is from enjoyment,” of being with you. “A straight slim figure suggests energy and activity!” When the author asked Dora why she went into doing miniatures since it was kind of a dying art, she answered, “I was never the kind of person to rush into a thing because it was popular or convenient; if I wanted to do it, and knew I’d love it, that’s sufficient reason for taking it up!”
Although she preferred miniatures (less settings 3-4 vs. 20-30) she was also very happy doing full-size portraits. “Miniatures are painted on real imported ivory that is so thin it is clearly transparent,” and she explained that at that point in time, there were fake miniature painters who were taking a snapshot and painting the miniature from that. She explained, “It isn’t art and it isn’t real!”
She was the real thing, that was for sure, and admired by everyone. One of her miniature subjects was Cornelia Cole Fairbanks, the feminine yet progressive wife of Vice President Fairbanks. Wilbur Nesbit was an American humorist and likely met her in Chicago and chose her to do his miniature. As Hoosiers, we all know the name George Ade and he too had her do his portrait. Exhibitions (Africa; Europe; South America; all over the US), lessons, clubs, and quite active in the Business and Professional Women scene, she was non-stop work, although she loved her fun, as well.
Having never had children, she was quite supportive of her husband’s daughter, Ilka Chase, who was a popular actress in the 20s on, as well as a radio show hostess and writer. Ilka’s mother Edna Woolman was the editor of Vogue magazine in three countries. Edna described Francis as, “lovable, good-looking and irresponsible.” Although their marriage didn’t work, he and Dora were married almost 30 years before his death in November 1949. She lived until October of 1955, passing away in their home in Babylon, on Long Island, New York, the area where she had lived for over five decades of her life, but choosing to be returned right here to Montgomery County.
Karen Zach is the editor of Montgomery Memories, our monthly magazine all about Montgomery County. Her column, Around the County, appears each Thursday in The Paper of Montgomery County.
Source: Indianapolis Daily Star, 14 Feb 1923
New York Jan 13 – Better my best, is the rallying appeal chosen by a popular little miniature artist, one-time Hoosier, Theodora Larsh. It is not that this young miniatjre portraitist needs any particular impetus – she is an indefatigable worker and the exquisite beauty and fine technique of her work is recognized widely. At her attractive studio in Carnegie Hall an interesting commission usually is being executed. Miss Larsh has just completed a miniature portrait of Mrs. W. Avery of San Antonio, Tex, formerly of Indianapolis. Atr present she is engaged in painting the portraits of Polly Day, one of the reigning beauties in the Music Box Revue, and Miss Lois Shore, attired in the costume in which she is appearing in that much talked-of production, “Will Shakespeare.” These two portraits will appear in an exhibition of work by Miss Larsh which H. Leiber will open in Indianapolis in a few weeks. It is rumored also that a very distinguished member of the Metropolitan Opera Company is sitting daily for this artist that his charm may be interpreted through the magic of a miniature portrait. Other portraits by Miss Larsh are appearing in exhibitions of the winter in New York and other cities. She accepted an invitation from the American Federation of Art to exhibit in its rotary, which goes to 20 different cities. Numbers by her have appeared in exhibitions in the Corcoran Art Gallery, Washington and Baltimore. She also was an exhibitor in the fall exhibition of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the exhibitin of the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors held a few weeks ago in the National Academy of design in NY City.
Miss Larsh was introduced to her career in Crawfaordsville, Ind just across the street frm Wabash College. Very early the child showed a particular fondness for drawing. When the young lady had completed her school work in Crawfordsville the family moved to Indianapolis and she was sent to Oberlin college where she did special work. Violet Oakley who is now doing the frescoing of the courthouse at Columbus, Ohio was a classmate. In the course of her training in art, Miss Larsh studied at John Herron Art Institute the Chicago Art Academy and the Art Students’ League in New Ork. Later she went to London where she did further work with Mme. LaFarge. Before returning to American she also worked for many months in Paris. Art organizations with which she is identified are the Art Students’ League and the national Association of Women Painters and Sculptors. Miss Larsh can claim distinction in another and wholly different life – she is a party in a 55 marriage, contracted several years hence. Far be it from her to play the role of the “gimme” wife. Mr. Francis D. Chase, a well known NY Hotel man is the other party concerned in this altogether satisfactory and up-to-the-minute partnership-marriage – a plan of marriage that is now being advocated by a group led by Mrs. Rupert Hughest the wife of the author. A card, sent through the courtesy of Mr. William Henry Fox, director of the Brooklyn Museum of Art, a former director of the John Herron Insitutute reads, “the honor of your presence is requested at the Brooklyn Museum on Tuesday UJan 23 from 3-6 o’clock at a private view of groups of works by eminent living Russian painters and sculptors and of costumes, textiles …(rest not really about her)
Source: Indianapolis Star 26 Nov 1916
More than 200 Enjoy Program Arranged by Mrs. JA Wood, Entitled: “An Afternoon With Art.” B Harriet Scanland
New York Nov 25 – The winter season in NY is now well under way. Theaters, operas and art exhibitions vie with one another for their places of prominence and the many clubs have resumed their activities with an unusual zest and vigor. Important in club circles, the Daughters of Indiana in NY are no exception to the present order of things. This was evidenced in the first regular meeting at the Hotel Astor on the afternoon of Nov. 20. In the abasense of the president, Miss Mary Garrett Hay who by the way, was in Indianapolis engaged in an old field of her many endeavors, Mrs. Lois Pierce Hughes presided. This was one of the very few times that Miss Hay has been unable to attend a meeting of her favorite club. A telegram full of inspiration and cheer was read by the chairman and received with appreciation. The business meeting of the afternoon proved the breadth of the club’s efforts. There were reports from delegates to the City Federation of Clubs, the Congressof States and the Consumer’s League, with which the Daughters of Indiana are working zealously on some of the present day problems. Indiana Items Unique. The Indiana items given by the hisotiran of the organization were unique as well as interesting and were as follows: Producers of the Centennial Film Company were hindred in making the centennial pictures by modern farm improvements – silos, windmills and huge barns; Indiana’s centennial mother, Mrs. Elizabeth McCoy (nee Lowell) was born in North Carolina Aug 15, 1811, thus making her 105 years old; a Federal business for the employment of girls and women has been opened in Indianapolis with Mrs. Grace Julian Clarke at its head and last but not least, the fact that the last mule cars in Brownstown (and as it happens in the state as well) have been consigned to the scrap heap – a better record than NY can show.
Mrs. Martin Nixon, the chairman of the Big Sister movement in the club, very generously announced that the doors of the home were always open to every depressed, lonely Hoosier “sister” sojourning in the city. There were more than 200 persons present, including both members and guests, to enjoy the program, An Afternoon With Art, arranged by Mrs. John Anderson Wood and given entirely by talent formerly of the home state. Miss Isabel Niles formerly of LaPorte, a danseuse and pupil of Chalif, gave several numbers of interpretive dancing with Miss Stella F. Barnard at the piano. Besides the numbers listed, The Wood Nymph, Birth of a Butterfly, Valse Romantique and Autumn, Miss Niles very gracious responded with encores.
Miss Theodora Larsh, painter of miniatures, gave an interesting talk on her art, which she illustrated with several handsome originals, much to the delight of every one present. She spoke briefly of the origin and history of miniature painting – how the art was used in ancient times both in an illustrative and decorative manner and of the day of its ascendancy. In the last period Holbeing, Hilliard, the two Olivers, Cooper. Vandyke and Coxway figured prominently as the greatest artists in this line. The invention of printing, however, brought on a decline and the invention of photography and the tricks of its trade led to practice of frauds in this rare and beautiful art which are now being perpetrated on the unsuspecting public. Some of the work of Miss Larsh is now occupying a place of honor in exhibitions at the Academy of Design in NY and at the Pennsylvania Academy in Philadlphia.
Source: Indianapolis News Sat 6 July 1907 p 22
The Gen. Athony Wayne Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has presented to the regent, Miss Voss, a portrait of herself painted by Miss Theodora Larsh, an artist who is doing fine work.
Source: Los Angeles Times Mon 19 July 1909 p 1
Chicago July 18 – Two persons were drowned in Lake Michigan in Chicago or vicinity today and many times that number whose lives were in danger in boisterous waters wer rescued. The day was declared one of the most dangerous of the summer for boating and bathing … One victim was a swimmer and the other a boy fisherman. Rescues were reported from all points along the lake shore and the Zion City boy was lost only because of the failure of a signally heroid attempt to save him. This attempt would have succeeded had not a second accident endangered the lives of those going to his aid. The drowned: Murray, Leon, 20 years old, Zion City. Smith, CW, 33 years old, seed salesman. … The beach in front of the Chicago Beach Hotel was the scene of a second drowing during the day. Mr. Smith sank within a few yards of a party of bathers, unable to hear his calls because of the roar of the surf. There were a score of persons on the shore who would have heard him on a calm day. His drowing was seen by Miss Theodora Larsh an artist with rooms in the hotel, who was standing on their at the foot of 50th st which he dived. She saw him swim a short distance and then throw up his arms and faintly heard him call for help. He sank before any of the other bathers knew he was in danger.
Source: Brooklyn NY Daily Eagle 14 Aug 1927 Sun p 78 by Sascha Sussman
Success! Is what Theodora Larsh, miniature portrait artist, likes to paint. Just what the elusive quality is that lifts a man or woman above the common level to positions of great responsibility and famous achievement is what she seeks in the faces in subways in the streets, wherever she goes. The lines of the mouth show the disposition. The eyes indicate intelligence if it is present. And the contours of the face reveal nationality, breeding, character and potentialities. A person need not possess Hyperion’s curls, nor the front of Jove, nor an eye like Mars to threaten and command, nor a station like the herald Mercury newlighted on a heaven-kissing hill, to be a fit subject for the delicate art of the painter. All he needs is a humanitarian kindliness to offset the aggressiveness of having to push past others who are willing to stick in the mud all their lives to attain more than a momentary and passing recognition. And so it was that in the breezy atmosphere of the studio in Carnegie Hall when Miss Larsh does her work and entertains at the same time, there were several visitors chatting about art ov er the teacups when I came to interview the successful painter of successful people that I tried to turn the analyst’s methods to my own account in order to penetrate the good natured whimsicality of my hostess and find out the characteristics that had led her own brilliant success
A pair of deep brown eyes that always seem to be on the point of asking curious questions is the first thing one notices. Quizzical little laugh wrinkled play around these eyes, and in spite of the full laugh that accompanies – Miss Larsh has the kind of laugh that puts you at your case and makes you know that it isn’t mere politeness but actual enjoyment that is the cause of it – adds a note of gravity to the otherwise surprisingly young face.
Miss Larsh was born in Indiana and geographical charactersitcs being what they are, there is a definite hint of Western, or rather Hoosier, broadness about the nose and mouth and she possesses a chin of undeniable American determination. A straight, slim figure that suggests energy and activity but none of the modern fever of unrest, stylishly gowned, completed a most piictersque effect. “I don’t like to talk about myself all the time,” she declared. “So ask me all the questions you want and then we’ll discuss other things.” So I did. “What made you take up art in miniature? I asked her. “I was never the kind of person to rush into a thing because it was popular and conventional. If I want to do it, and if I am sure I will love doing it, that is sufficient reason for my taking it up,” was her answer.
Miniature painting is one of the rarest of the arts and the most delicate. Miniatures aren’t pretentious things and the certain class of people who get rich very quick and want to make sudden demonstration of their wealth doesn’t like them. They prefer th regular full-size portraits and I am almost as happy when I am doing when I am doing one of those as I am creating miniatures. “But people who order kminiatures really love them and they want to have the tiny likeness around where they can always have it. A miniature is a private, personal thing. It rquires a genuine sense of appreciation to understand the real value of the small portrait. “Tell me how they are made, is there any special method of approach?
“Miniatures are painted on real imported ivory that is so thin it is clearly transparent,” she informed. “One can’[t spend a long time on them. When the water color is once applied, it stays on for good, and the miniature is complete in from two to four sittings as compared to the 20 and 30 sittings required for the ordinary life-size painting in oils. Some artists aren’t satisfied with a portrait until the model has sat as many as 40 times for the portrait but when I start a piece of work Ican’t stop until I’ve finished it. There are some painters who set themselves up as miniature artists but who are really frauds. They take a snapshot and paint in the miniature from that but it has no value, esthetic or sentimental because it isn’t art and it isn’t real.”
Miss Larsh was only too glad to recall the time when she first started her career in art. She considered that the first milestone in the long upward road that she has traveled was when, at the age of 7, she submitted a landscape painting to a State contest and it won a prize. “I gave it to an aunt and when I visited her home in Indiana last year and saw it still hanging on the wall, I was surprised to see that it really is a good piece of work,” she added. “It really is a great pity though,” she continued that so many young people, who may have talent, but aren’t sure of themselves, strike out with the romantic notion tha the world is going to crowd in admiration around them, as soon as they announce their attention of following art as a life work. The almost inevitable result is that they become stranded, penniless and disillusioned. It may be better for some of them who should realize before it is too late that they aren’t suited for the work, but for those whose inclinations and talents are really artistic it is a great loss both for themselves and for the world. “My advice to them is always to have some income or some other means of making a living. It is a very difficult matter to attain recognition in the world of art, and merit is such an elusive thing that it is dangerous to rely entirely upon it. All the time that I was receiving instruction and painting originals, I had to do commercial work, and it was a good thing for me. I got to know al kinds of people and I didn’t have a lot of romantic illusions. As soon as I felt I could stand on my own feet of course I dropped the work, but that wasn’t until I was sure I didn’t have to resort to strangers and friends.
Some of my own friends weren’t as sure as I was that I really could be independent when I started out for France with a steamship ticket, $200 and lots of ambition. But I said I was going to stay a year and I did. I lived in the Latin Quarter, studied with the great masters, painted commissions and worked and got more real thrills thatn I’ve ever been able to get before or since. When I got off the boat in NY after my year I had 420 and a moral victory over those who said it wasn’t possible. But I wouldn’t advise everybody to do it,” she warned, laughing.
But after all, that’s past history. Just listen to what the modern representative of the Larshes has done, and there’s some real cause for pride. Miss Larsh received her education at Oberlin College, the Chicago Art Institute, the Herron Art Institute in Indian and took courses at the Academy in Chiago and the Art Students League in NY. She studied with Vanderpoel; Bridgeman; George Luks; Cecilia Beaux; Hawthorn; Johansen and Mme. LaFarge. She has won prizes in various art exhibitions all over the country, including those of the Washington, NY; Phioladelphia and American Water Color Societies. A private gallery in London; the Art Alliance of the Art Center of NY and La Tanguet in France have shown her work. In France she was requested by the French Government to copy for them miniatures in their museums that were falling into bad order. She is an active clubwoman and on the Board of Directors of the League of Business and Professional Women of NY and the Society of Illinois and is a member of the American Women’s Assocation of Business and Professional Women. She is chairman of the house committee of the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors and is a member of the Indiana Club and Art Students League. In 1920 she married Frank Chase but she still prefers her former name. At the top of the list of the famous commissions she has executed she puts the portrait and miniatures of Mrs. Fairbanks, wife of the VP of the US; Mrs. Arthur Cutting; Wilbur Nesbit; George Ade, the novelist; Edwin Markham, the poet and Pavlowa the internationally celebrated dancer.