Drawn from the collections of The Heckscher Museum of Art and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, this exhibition presents rarely seen works on paper by modern artists Arthur Dove (1880–1946) and Helen Torr (1886–1967).
The exhibition explores the couple’s connection to Long Island’s natural environment, their experimentation with materials and techniques, and the impact of Dove’s declining health on their art.
In the 1920s Arthur Dove and Helen Torr lived on and along the water around Long Island’s North Shore. For years, the lived and painted on their boat, the Mona, before settling at what is now the Dove/Torr Cottage in Centerport. Located on the banks of picturesque Titus Mill Pond, the cottage’s surroundings provided the subject matter-light, wind, water, and sand-for some of Arthur Dove’s and Helen Torr’s most inspired artworks.
Approximately 60 artworks are featured in the exhibition, including some of Dove’s most acclaimed watercolors created during the last years of his life, when he was confined to his home, and Torr was his primary caretaker.
Torr ceased painting but continued to draw during this period. Her career was stymied in part by the barriers that female artists faced, as well as the time she devoted to caring for Dove and supporting his work.
The Heckscher Museum holds one of the largest collections of Torr’s work.
Salt Life: Arthur Dove and Helen Torr also marks the 25th anniversary of The Heckscher Museum’s preservation of the Arthur Dove and Helen Torr Cottage.
In the 1920s and early 1930s, Dove and Torr lived on a sailboat on the Long Island Sound.
In 1938, they purchased a 500-square-foot home in Centerport. Torr declared, “We feel this is the loveliest situation we have ever had.” Dove agreed, “I love this swashbuckling around the salt water. . . Everyone seems quite delighted with this place. It is beautiful.” Their home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Soundwalk at Dove/Torr Cottage
To celebrate the anniversary of the Cottage, a new soundwalk has been opened on the property.
Visitors will learn about Helen Torr and how the surroundings of the cottage inspired her art. A new soundwalk at Heckscher Park is also available.
Access to the soundwalks are available through the Bloomberg Connects App, and on the Heckscher Museum website.
