A Tribute to Darwin Musselman

Cynthia Daniel · 07-04-2001, 08:34 AM

Darwin Musselman, 1916 - 2001

Darwin Musselman, who died on Thursday, June 28, at the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Medical Center, age 85, will be remembered by all who knew him as an outstanding artist, a gentleman through and through, and a brilliant artist whose career encompassed many styles and decades.

I counted Darwin as my friend for 22 years or more. I believe that Elizabeth and I first met Darwin in 1979 when he arrived for the very first National Portrait Seminar in New York. He arrived early -- I mean several days early -- with his gracious wife who traveled everywhere with him. Darwin wanted to visit the galleries and museums in New York and get thoroughly settled before the five-day meeting began.

Beginning with the 1980 seminar, Darwin was a regular faculty member. He would lecture on his specialty -- composition and design -- with a scholarly thoroughness that was impressive and appealing. Darwin was a teacher to the core. He loved to teach, and he was good at it.

I am writing this without access to any biographical material, but I remember that Darwin's resume included many years of teaching in important academic positions. I also know that his own work as a painter included a number of distinct periods. At one point he was working in a strong, design-based "modern" manner. Then he progressed toward traditional portraiture, a genre at which he was particularly skilled. His work was well-conceived, thoroughly researched, carefully drafted, and dextrously executed. The National Portrait Seminar was honored to include him on the teaching team. I believe that Darwin and his wife participated in all nine of the National Portrait Seminars, 1979 - 1993.

Many of us have lost a personal friend; the world of art has lost a major contemporary artist. But we are all richer for having known Darwin, and his work will live on.

John Howard Sanden

Bobbi Baldwin · 07-04-2001, 02:42 PM

Dear John,

Thank you for such touching words about such a wonderful man. I feel the wonderful camaraderie that we all have for and with each other. There is a bond that is created throughout the field that will keep us all eternally together. Like a secret society of true hearted people.

Your letter is warm and sincere as I have always found you to speak. I admire you and thank you for your contribution to my life and the lives of all of us.

Sally Lyon Smith is a dear friend that we both hold in our hearts. She called me two days ago and I will pass on the information that she said to me, as I know how much she likes you and Elizabeth. Sally said that they found cancer in the back of her mouth. She related this to having never had anything more painful in her life. They removed it, and she is just now speaking again. She is excited to be in a place, now in Chico, CA, near her son and PAINTing again. The excitement in her voice about painting was apparent. I am saying my prayers as I know you will too, for the friend that we share.

I would be happy to pass on Sally's phone number and address to any well wishers, but, didn't want to post it online.

Sincerely, Bobbi Baldwin,
Sacramento, California

Jim Riley · 07-05-2001, 07:47 AM

It was nice to see John Sanden's tribute to Darwin Musselman in the forum. I have forwarded a copy of his Obit from the Lancaster, PA newspaper. His son Ronald also lives in Lancaster where Darwin resided in recent years and can be reached at: 2605 Penwood Rd, Lancaster, PA, 17601

Here's a copy of the obituary:

Cynthia Daniel · 07-05-2001, 01:22 PM

My friends,

Thank you, John, for sending us such a beautiful tribute to Darwin!

Unlike John, I got to know Darwin for only a brief period of time when we became good friends. Then as things happen, we gradually lost touch as he got older. I regret that we spent so little time together.

He was an artist of remarkable range and talent, a great teacher and a wonderful person. I loved and admired him and will miss him very much

Richard Whitney