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Jeanne Duval’s “Willa Cather’s Muse” -
Spectators watch as artist Jeanne Duval introduces her piece, “Willa Cather’s Muse.” -
Artist of “Willa Cather’s Muse,” Jeanne Duval, speaks with attendees about her work. -
Spectators listen intently as “Willa Cather’s Muse” is introduced in the gazebo on the Jaffrey Common. -
Jeanne Duval signs a copy of her painting “Willa Cather’s Muse,” while being aided by Stephen Pelkey at the sales tent of Jaffrey’s Concerts on the Common event. -
Jeanne Duval stands with her freshly unveiled piece, “Willa Cather’s Muse.” -
Jeanne Duval works at the sales tent with Stephen Pelkey as spectators wait to get their copies of “Willa Cather’s Muse.” -
Jeanne Duval removes the covering from her Jaffrey-inspired work “Willa Cather’s Muse.” -
Jeanne Duval addresses the crowd gathered to view her newly unveiled piece, “Willa Cather’s Muse.”
Jaffrey native and artist Jeanne Duval revealed her long-anticipated painting, “Willa Cather’s Muse,” Wednesday during a ceremony on the Jaffrey Common.
Duval, the queen of the town Bicentennial in 1973, has spent her career working across the globe. She now lives and works in Jaffrey, and devoted her oil painting for the town’s 250th anniversary celebration to an inspirational artist.
The Concerts on the Common event featured an homage to the large French-Canadian population in town. The flag of Quebec flew over the event alongside that of the United States. Quebecois folk band The Reel McCoys played a set as patrons and attendees lined up to view the piece on Duval’s easel. Snacks and refreshments were available for sale before and after the unveiling.
Willa Cather, the namesake of the piece, was born in Virginia and began coming to Jaffrey for inspiration in her late 40s. In her first known correspondence to her family, Cather stated she was “working well in this lovely country.” That letter was sent in 1917, and she continued to work in the shadow of Mount Monadnock for decades. She spent her days working on her paintings, revising her book, “My Ántonia,” and taking long outdoor walks on the mountain and surrounding area. Cather died in 1947 and was buried at the Old Burying Ground behind the Jaffrey Meetinghouse. It is unclear why she chose Jaffrey to be buried, as her family lived in Red Cloud, Neb., where she often visited, as well. It is commonly believed she did so due to drawing such inspiration from the region.
Duval has also drawn considerable inspiration from the Monadnock region. In addition to having her work featured from San Francisco to New York, she was a fellow at the MacDowell Colony in Peterborough in 1981, 1983 and 1993. She said “Willa Cather’s Muse” holds a special place in her heart.
“I was excited and just really hopeful that people liked it and responded well to it,” said Duval after unveiling the piece.
After spending much of her career away from Jaffrey, Duval described the experience of commissioning a piece devoted to her hometown “nostalgic.” The painting, a landscape of Monadnock, is depicted in orange and purple light. Duval drew inspiration from the life of Cather on this decision as well.
“I think early morning, the light of it and the fact that Willa Cather was inspired by it,” said Duval.
Prints of “Willa Cather’s Muse” can be found at Toadstool Bookshop in Peterborough, as well as Steele’s Stationers and at Jaffrey Civic Center.