Edwin Dikinson
Catalogue entry
Esther Hill Sawyer
Catalogue no. 841
1931
Buffalo, NY
Pencil on paper
12 3/8 x 9 3/8 in. (31.4 x 23.8 cm)
Signed, inscribed, dated upper right: "E W Dickinson / Buffalo 1931"
Inscribed on bottom: "To Esther"
Inscribed on bottom: "To Esther"
Private collection
Photo: George Bouret
Notes
Drawn in Buffalo, NY, March 7, 8, 10 (background), 11, 12 "fini" (journal), as a surprise for her
mother, Esther Hoyt Sawyer. Letters to FD from Buffalo, March 9, 1931, ". . . continue with a head am
doing of Sister which promises well. Has much background - all carefully done & will fill the page right up in best style; the head good size & low on the page. A present for Esther frame & all. They seem delighted." March 10 ,". . . drew from 2 to 5:30 this pm on the background in the drawing of sister . . . the drawing is a good elaborate one."
Pl. 16, Goodrich, "Drawings of Edwin Dickinson."
Provenance
Esther Hoyt Sawyer
Esther Hill Sawyer Ewing
Private collection
Exhibition History
Garrett Club, Buffalo, New York, Edwin Dickinson, Paintings and Drawings, March 1931.
Cornell University, Andrew Dickson White Museum of Art, Ithica, Edwin Dickinson, Visiting Artist: An Exhibition of Paintings, 1912-1956, December 10, 1957–January 10, 1958, as "Drawing of Esther".
James Graham & Sons, New York, Edwin Dickinson, Retrospective, February 1–March 11, 1961.
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, Edwin Dickinson. Major retrospective, October 20–November 28, 1965, as "Esther Sawyer".
State University College at Buffalo, Charles Burchfield Center, Buffalo, New York, Tribute Exhibition: Edwin Dickinson, September 18, 1977–November 6, 1978. Traveled to: Albany Institute of History and Art, Albany, New York, January 14–February 19, 1978; Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, November 16–December 23, 1978.
Niagara Council of the Arts, Inc, Buscaglia-Castellani Art Gallery, Niagara University, Niagara Falls, New York, A Legacy of Friendship: Esther Hoyt Sawyer, Edwin W. Dickinson, Nicholas Vasilieff, May 23–June 21, 1981, as "Esther Hill Sawyer or Sister".
National Academy of Design Galleries, New York, Art Students League Benefit Sale, May 18–July 4, 1982, as "Esther Sawyer".
Please note that the information on this and all pages is periodically reviewed and subject to change.
Citation: Dickinson Baldwin, Helen. "Esther Hill Sawyer, 1931 (Catalogue no. 841)." In The Edwin Dickinson Catalogue Raisonné. www.edwindickinson.org/catalogue/entry.php?id=841 (accessed on July 17, 2026).