The following is from Deborah Robinson:

I recently inherited a painting by Ettore Caser, signed in the lower right “E. Caser”. It is a roughly 22″ by 28″ oil of birch trees along a road in winter with a field behind. Attached to the back of the painting is a tri-fold brochure entitled, “Memorial Exhibition Ettore Caser 1880-1944”. This was apparently held at the Grand Central Art Galleries, 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York City, January 23 – February 3, 1945.

37 paintings are listed (none shown in the brochure); they are: 1. The Gateway; 2. Bowl with Vegetables; 3. Feminine Trio; 4. Wynnie; 5. Venetian Boats; 6. Still Life with Glass; 7. Vivian; 8. 3 Nudes; 9. Color in Sails; 10. The Garden; 11. The Sickle; 12. Quiet Harbor; 13. Lady by the Sea; 14. Girl with Bow; 15. Golden Sails; 16. Bambini; 17. Youth; 18. Meeting Place; 19. Venetian Boats; 20. The Future; 21. Vegetables; 22. The Lute Player; 23. Smooth Water; 24. Treasure Ship; 25. The Pasture; 26. Nocturne; 27. Venetian Girl; 28. Refreshment; 29. Girl with Mask; 30. Seascape; 31. Marie; 32. Musing; 33. Vegetables and Pitcher; 34. Boats Docked; 35. The Infant; 36. Wagon Load; 37. An Accordian Player.

The text of the brochure reads as follows:

With the opening of the Memorial Exhibition to Mr. Ettore Caser, the public will see his work in something of its entirety and continuity.

Mr. Caser was a Venetian and the glory that was Venice ever held him enthralled. He had a profound knowledge of the methods of the Old Masters and of their techniques. Throughout his canvasses will be found qualities of texture and color such as can only be produced by these ancient methods.

Caser had an insatiable enthusiasm for painting. He had a child-like simplicity and gave forth a warmth of friendliness but with an almost timid reserve. His six years at the Conservatory of Music in Venice proved a valuable asset, for there are musical qualities and an ever-present gaiety in his imaginative and decorative canvasses.

John Singer Sargent while working on his Boston Museum decorations, made several trips to see the self-portrait of Caser in the home of H. Dudley Murphy in Lexington, Mass. Mr. Murphy, a famous American artist, persuaded Caser to come to this country, and helped to establish him in Winchester. His work was well received both in Boston and Chicago and resulted in commissions for decorations in many homes, including the famous Ginn Estate in Winchester.

During the first World War he paid his own fare to Italy and back after fighting for three long years in the Alps for his native Italy. When he returned to America, he became a citizen.

Caser is represented in the National Bank in Toledo, Ohio, by a huge mural which has for its theme: “Anthony Wayne and the Indians at the Marmoux River”; also here in New York he has four twelve-foot murals at the Engineer’s Club, as well as a picture at the Salmagundi Club, and the Boston Art Club. Among his prizes were a Silver medal at San Francisco World’s Fair, the W. A. Clark Prize at National Academy and others.

John C. Johansen
H. Dudley Murphy
George W. Gage