Every painting tells a story, and it is the job of our curators to uncover it. In today's blog, curator Jessica Barrie tells us about a heartfelt reunion of old friends, and the story behind our recent acquisition, Vessie Owens, 1940 by James McBey.
In 2022 Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums acquired a portrait of a young woman called Vessie painted by Newburgh-born artist James McBey. Born in 1883, McBey was a bank clerk before devoting himself to a life of art. We have the world’s largest collection by the artist, with over 6300 catalogue records for items created, collected or otherwise associated with him.
At 57 years old and in an unusual move for the time, James and his wife Marguerite immigrated to America. In the first half of 1940 they visited Cuba, as well as states up the Eastern coast. One of those states was North Carolina, where Marguerite’s brother Arthur (Art) Loeb resided.
Marguerite and James Mcbey as newlyweds, 1931
Art’s house was located outside the city of Brevard and it is here that McBey will have met Vessie. Art’s housekeeper, Belle, had a daughter, Anne, who used to play with Vessie. On occasion, Belle would bring both Vessie and Anne to Art’s house.
In McBey’s diary entry of 12 June 1940, McBey states that Vessie’s portrait was completed. However it was only this year that Vessie’s sister Nancy, and friends Carl and Sheila, discovered the portrait existed. Carl contacted me last year, asking if it would be possible to come and visit Vessie at the art gallery.
After a few email exchanges it was agreed, Carl and Sheila would add on an extra leg to their holiday in Europe, they would stop in Aberdeen.
Before they arrived, Carl emailed to ask me what the weather was like. I couldn’t say “dreich” so I explained the low-mid teen degrees and the definite need for a waterproof. We needn’t feel so shy of the weather, though! On the day of writing this blog, it was 19 degrees in North Carolina and 16 here in Aberdeen! Not bad.
There was a buzz of excitement on the visit day, as the staff here at AAGM knew how momentous a reunion this was. We walked through to the McBey gallery. This room has works from throughout McBey’s career, but very few on display from the stint that he lived in America for.
Although Carl and Sheila both knew McBey was the artist of Vessie’s portrait, they did not realise the impact of the collection and subsequent bequest to Aberdeen Art Gallery. It allowed us to purchase Vessie!
Vessie Owens was born in 1933 and was the first child of nine. After graduating high school, Vessie studied cosmetology (beauty treatments). She met her husband and lived in New York, only returning to North Carolina after it had integrated. Vessie sadly passed away in 2010.
At the time of the portrait, Vessie was still an only child and lived across the road from Carl and Sheila. Carl and Sheila grew up next door to each other, and would often go down to Aunt Belle’s house. The group all knew each other growing up. “It was very tight knit” nods Sheila.
Carl’s drawn map of the streets Vessie, Carl, Sheila and Anne grew up on
Carl was even babysat by Chick, who nicknamed him June Bug. Carl once asked Vessie why the name June Bug, and she had said “you always used to be scared of them!”. Chick had a thing for nicknaming. Sheila laughed sharing hers, “ShiShi” she grinned and shook her head.
“That’s so Chick” was the first thing Sheila said when we rounded the corner of Gallery 18 to reunite with Vessie. Both her and Carl smiled and instantly moved closer. I asked if McBey had the likeness of their old but young-at-the-time friend.
“Oh yes.. it looks just like her. The dress is right, the hair, she used to wear her hair like that!” said Sheila.
They also noted that Vessie looks slightly annoyed. “she’s got better things to do!” said Carl, as Vessie looks directly at us impatiently. She sits with her hands in her lap, with a striped pink and white dress which contrasts to the green chair behind.
“She was the typical busybody, always fun and joking around”.
Carl and Sheila continued to share stories of growing up in North Carolina, and took photos with Vessie in her new home. It was so brilliant and such an honour to reunite Chick, ShiShi and June Bug together, and a privilege to welcome them here in Aberdeen.
ShiShi, Chick and June Bug
Vessie Owens was purchased with assistance from National Fund for Acquisitions and the Mrs McBey Trust Fund. Vessie is on display in Gallery 18, People and Portraits at Aberdeen Art Gallery. Come along and visit her yourself!
