DECEMBER 2 - 5: FRANCE, LETTERS & FRANCES LEE

ROCKWELL KENT WILDERNESS CENTENNIAL JOURNAL
100 YEARS LATER
by Doug Capra © 2018

France, Letters & Frances Lee

Dec. 2-5, 2019

ABOVE photo by CJ Rea. BELOW photo by Marianna Keil. These are the kind of sunrises Rockwell Kent may have seen occasionally at Resurrection Bay this time of year. At this latitude, the light changes rapidly, so scenes like this don’t last. Other artists who have painted Alaska have voiced their frustrations regarding how difficult it is to catch and reproduce light like this.

Kathleen and the children leave for France in November of 1923, not long after Kent returns from his Tierra del Fuego adventure. It’s important to note that, after Kent returned from Alaska in April 1919, he was with his family much of the time, a least through the winter of 1920. Still, he’s busy with his Alaska book, the paintings and the New York exhibit. Then Kathleen and the children are away at school and later in Western Massachusetts with her family. Then he’s off to Tierra del Fuego.  Now he’s back and needs time and solitude to work on his new book and finish the paintings. His long absences from home and family over the years continue, and most likely have even more significant effects on his marriage. We can see this separation eating away at Kathleen in the 1921 letters I posted in this past entry.

The European economy still suffers from the war, and Kent reasons that it would be cheaper to live there. David Traxel writes: Kathleen suspected that it was really a device to get them all out of the way of an affair her husband was conducting. She had good reason to be reluctant; once again she was thrown on her own with five children, the oldest fourteen {Rockie}, the youngest only three {Gordon, with the three girls in between}. Rockwell arranges for one of their teachers at the Edgewood School, Walter Overton, to go along as the children’s tutor. Kathleen refers to him as “Pop” in her letters from France. With the family away, Rockwell works on his writing and art, in between entering the provocative, though stuffy, atmosphere of Manhattan speakeasies and Long Island dinner parties. He now smokes heavily and gives up his vegetarian diet, still maintaining his radical ideas while enjoying irritating the more conservative establishment.

Then there is Maureen, a young out-of-work Irish actress Rockwell says he’s known for years. She comes to live with him in Vermont and types up his Voyaging manuscript. Though she tells him she loves another -- a naval officer who, apparently, doesn’t return the favor -- Rockwell admits Maureen is beautiful and has the Celtic soul as we imagine it to be, deeply romantic, made, one would say, to love and to be loved. Kent writes to the officer, probably advocating for Maureen. They visit him aboard his ship, but apparently nothing comes off that romance.  The story is vague, especially as to any possible romantic involvement between Rockwell and his typist. (Traxel, 144-7; IMOL, 375-82)).

BELOW – The Kent family about 1923 at their farm near Arlington, Vermont. From left, Kathleen with 3-year-old Gordon standing in front of her; Clara, Barbara, Rockwell, and little Kathleen, or Kay. Rockie, about 14 years old at the time, is probably a summer camp or school. Photo from a Kent-Whiting private family album.

At a Long Island dinner party, Rockwell meets the woman who becomes his second wife. Frances Lee is, a twenty-six-year-old, blue-eyed divorcee who had recently come to New York from her native Virginia, as David Traxel writes. Her sophistication, calm beauty and intelligence captured Kent’s heart at first meeting. He proposed. She refused. He persisted, showering her with gifts, including a lifetime supply of stationary printed with a woodcut monogram he specially designed: FLK. He perseveres with abandon, for it’s not just the sex with the love and worship he demands – it’s also the challenge. She resisted the siege for two weeks, then capitulated. Some of this while Kathleen and the children are in France.

BELOW – Rockwell and Frances Lee Kent in Los Angeles, 1937. Photo Source.

At Antibes with the children, Kathleen is annoyed that Rockwell isn’t telling her much about his activities. As with most of Kent’s other love interests, she knows about Frances. On Feb. 4, 1924 she writes to Rockwell: Your monthly letter & check arrived…The clipping you say you are enclosing, you didn’t send. I’m sadly disappointed. I’ve written to George {Chappell} to get some news of your exhibitions, but have heard nothing, and, most of all, you won’t tell me a thing. I’m tired of being the wife of Rockwell Kent and not knowing a thing of what he’s doing. Would “Frances” tell me if I wrote to her. It is no wonder Kathleen isn’t hearing from Rockwell. During February he writes dozens of letters to his new love – romantic and gushing missives reminiscent of those he wrote to Hildegarde.

BELOW – A telegram Rockwell sent to Frances Lee in 1924. It says: Frances darling. We’ll arrive at 6:45 Monday evening. If you can be in town then do meet us and dine with little Kathleen & me. – I hate to be going away today, -- my thoughts are constantly with you. It is so beautiful. Lovingly, Rockwell. As it was with Hildegarde, now he wants Frances to get to know his children and get along with Kathleen. By this time, he probably wanted to marry Frances.  Archives of American Art.

We learn in that Feb. 4, 1924 letter that Kathleen is planning a trip next summer to Italy and other parts of Europe with the children, and wants to know Rockwell’s plans. It’s a short letter, only two pages with brief accounts of how the children are doing. Annoyed with Rockwell’s silence about his life, she ends: This is all you deserve this time. This and other letters from France -- sometimes moody, occasionally cryptic -- are reminiscent of the tension that always existed in their marriage. But now it’s getting worse. Kathleen has changed. As I showed from her letters to Alaska – though she is conflicted because she deeply loves Rockwell – she is now more willing to think of herself. The children are getting older. Rockie’s off to school most of the time and she misses him dearly. The girls are much more able to take care of themselves. There’s only four-year-old Gordon who needs most of her attention. Her taste of the freedom and excitement of NYC while Rockwell is in Alaska may have been a tipping point. That separation also gave her a chance to get close enough to Hildegarde to learn more about that relationship. On one level she sympathizes with Hildegarde, on another, she has a visceral dislike for the woman. Rockwell’s “new man” promises from Alaska now seem feeble. They are now back to the same old separation accompanied by Rockwell’s affairs.

On Feb. 15, 1924 Kathleen writes My darling:- Your letter, written when you were sick, has just arrived. It really was a sick letter, but I forgive it as I expect you to forgive any of mine written in a sick mood. To begin with you’re a silly to think that I don’t love you and am looking for another man. God forbid! I’ve come to the best place on earth to look for a man. I’m convinced of that! SIDE NOTE – Kathleen lived to be 100 and never remarried. One of her grandchildren, who lived with her for a time, told me she had no further interest in that kind of relationship. One can imagine, seventeen-years with Rockwell – as much as she loved him and their children – could certainly wear one out, as Carl Zigrosser suggested.

 In France, Kathleen is still upset with lack of news from anyone. There are nine in her household – six, including her and the children; Madam Ballard, the French teacher; and the tutor, Walter Overton whom she calls “Pop” – and probably a maid. Kathleen estimates cost of living at about $250 to $300 a month. Rockwell writes to her about going to Sardinia, and Kathleen is excited about joining him in Italy. She’s considering a bicycle trip. Rockie has been ill with the grip, headaches, food poisoning and nosebleeds. He’s still studying hard, but not writing much to his father. Perhaps the headaches indicate he needs glass, Kathleen writes. The bright sun bothers him so he wears “smoked” glasses when he goes out.  I trust Rockie will turn over a new leaf in writing you, Kathleen says, but you know his failings in that respect. He takes after like mamma, poor boy! Now almost four years old, little Gordon speaks continually of his father’s coming to France. His sister Barbara likes to tease him – occasionally shouting “Father’s here.” When Gordon learns it’s not true, he bites his sister. Kathleen attends a formal ball in Cannes and meets royalty, grand dukes and duchesses and princes and princesses. I did not expect to have a very good time, she writes, but I was so eager for a real party – and a real dance that I went, to prove to myself that I was not missing anything by not going to others. I won’t say that there were no interesting people there, for I spotted several that I would have liked to meet, but with so much formality and Royalty around there was not much chance for poor little me. Now dear, I must go to bed, but not until I have assured you that I do love you very much; and am very happy to know you still love me. Perhaps in reference to Frances, or to one of Rockwell’s other affairs, she adds, I had no idea that you were already “over” Fanny (oh, why didn’t I bet on it when I had the chance!) or I would have written you more often.

While writing of his love to Kathleen, Rockwell has thrown himself into courting Frances. In a February 1924 letter to Frances he writes: How I am planning! I’m settling things…definitely and generously with my family that I may be more free to plan and live for you. I have even told Kathleen what’s afoot. By now both he and Kathleen probably know the marriage is over.

BELOW – Rockie stand at center back in this photo taken at the Arlington, Vermont farm about 1921. From left, Clara standing with her doll; unknown woman; Barbara sitting in front; Kathleen holding Gordon; Rockie; three unknown individuals. Photo from Kent-Whiting private album.

On Feb. 22, 1924 Kathleen writes that Rockie has done well on his exams, indicating that “Pop” is doing a fine job at tutoring. She’s busy preparing for her bicycle trip to Italy, so advises Rockwell that he won’t hear from her for at least the next ten days, until they get to Italy. She also plans to attend a concert and a carnival before they leave. By Feb. 28 Kathleen is having trouble finding someone to take care of their rental while they’re gone. Four-year-old Gordon is making fine strides with his drawings these days, she writes, and she sends some of the art to Rockwell. She plans to find a place by the sea in Italy where the family can spend the summer. She hopes Rockwell will join her but realizes the expense, and gets the impression he might not really want to see join her.

It’s been a cold winter in France and Kathleen is anxious to get to a warmer climate. Perhaps to entice Rockwell, she suggests he could take Rockie with him on a trip to Switzerland and Germany while the rest of the family is in Italy. Kathleen is back in France by April 2. Oh, it was good to get back, she writes to Rockwell. And to be frank, Naples and environs did not make a hit with me. I did not like the south of Italy or the southern Italians a bit. Our living there would be impossible. All things considered, I have decided to say right here, either in this house or another in the vicinity, for the four summer months. We feel pretty much at home here, the children have many friends, and we are near the bathing beach and last but not least, Kathleen can continue with the violin and friends, Madam Daveau, who looked after the children for me, is very capable & clean & fond of the youngsters & they of her. She will come and take charge any time I want her, for five dollars a week. This will leave me free to go off, if we can to do so. If you sail to Cherbourg, you will come here before we go to Sardinia. If you sail to Naples I will meet you there…I’m so glad the book is finished {Voyaging}. Please bring over some music when you come, songs and flute music. If there were a piano available at the French rental, the two would probably play and sing together. 

BELOW – Envelope from the Feb. 24, 1924 letter from Kathleen to Rockwell. Archives of American Art.

During the family’s stay in France, for a time little Kathleen (called Kay) stays with Rockwell in the states.  See Rockwell Kent: An Anthology of his Work edited by Fridolf Johnson, p. 40 (1981). Kathleen refers to her oldest daughter in that April 2, 1924 letter. The snapshots of you & Kay are fine, but you look awfully tired & worried. I wish your family were not such a burden to you. Kathleen’s and the family’s burden -- even toward the end of their marriage, we see this theme run through Kathleen’s letters to Rockwell. After the children, his life and career come first for her. She has been willing to sacrifice her life to his. She often feels herself a burden, dragging him down, an obstacle in the way of his success. Money issues are especially a concern for her. She’ll fight for money for the children’s food, clothing, glasses, schooling – but she feels guilty asking anything for herself. I have been ill with jaundice ever since I came back, and am the colour of a lemon. She gives a list of items for Rockwell to bring to France, and reminds him of life’s little details – Be sure to let the Victrola run down {the wind-up record player}. Then to that unpleasant topic – When you receive this will you please cable me some money, for I will have to pay the four months’ rent in advance. I have your check for $200 sent Feb. 26^th. But if you have not sent another $200 since then, cable it as I say. She has already written to him that her needs are $300 a month for basics.

BELOW – Kathleen’s monthly check from Rockwell to Kathleen in France – this one dated Feb. 26, 1924. Archives of American Art.

According to Fridolf Johnson in his Anthology, Kathleen about this time suggests the two divorce in a letter to Rockwell -- whenever either one of them wishes it. Apparently, it wasn’t an angry letter just an acknowledgment that their marriage was over. Rockwell was reluctant at first, but eventually accepted it. His reluctance makes sense according to his philosophy. In his world, he could remain married to Kathleen, and just embed his new wife into his family. All would be one within the circle of his life. Kathleen couldn't abide with that situation. We don't have Hildegarde's letters to Rockwell, but this arrangement most likely didn't appeal to her, nor did it suit most of his women, including Frances. 

NEXT ENTRY

Judge Wells & The Last Cruise of the Shanghai

Divorce & Marriage to Frances Lee

And Onward to 1935