It will interest the field to know that a unique portrait of Mary Baker Eddy is now for sale. This portrait is from a wood engraving by Timothy Cole. It is published at this time with the authorization and approval of The Christian Science Board of Directors.
Mr. Cole's engraving is from a photograph which Mrs. Eddy was pleased with and gave to quite a number of her friends. When he saw this particular picture, Mr. Cole said, "I can now understand how Mrs. Eddy became the Leader and Founder of this great movement." The portrait maintains fidelity to the original, and reveals a living beauty because of the comprehension and skill of the artist. It is sold at a price very much less than is usual for an engraving of this kind.
Timothy Cole is best known through his work for the Century Magazine, in which his first picture appeared in 1876. He was sent to Europe in 1883, commissioned to engrave on wood the great Italian masterpieces. After ten years of this work, he turned his attention to the great paintings of the Dutch and Flemish masters, then to the English masters and the great Spaniards, and finally to the masterpieces of France. These labors occupied twenty -seven years; and when he returned to America, he became engaged in making known the art treasures of this country through engravings made from distinguished pictures in American galleries. It is estimated that he engraved for the Century more than three hundred blocks; and his work has received every sort of artistic recognition and commendation. An art critic describing his technique says: "His graver reproduces the material textures of his subject, the gloss of satin, the depth of velvet, the lucidity of light, the vibration of air. He handles his tool as a painter handles his brush, with the same freedom and dexterous control, and the same variation of stroke to meet various problems. ... His humility and great intelligence seem to preclude any thrusting forward of his individuality. More than the craftsman of ancient times he waives his right to self-expression and lets himself be content with interpretation."
