Arts and Letters

Eugene Speicher is an artist who will survive the transitory changes of fashion. His achievement contributes to the solid tradition on which he was nurtured and in which he so strongly believed. Though alert to changing styles, he never lost sight of the basic fact that human and other beings are born and grow in the same wonderful way they have for endless centuries, that this mysterious renewal differs in expression according to the vision of succeeding generations of artists. It is nevertheless the source from which all great art comes to us. Individuals necessarily develop differently and Speicher's personality permeates his work with warmth and understanding. As a craftsman his knowledge was thorough and he used it well.

He was a happy artist, though he experienced with all artists the pangs of birth and development a work of art demands of its creator. Speicher loved people and his love was reciprocated. He was a man of integrity in his life and in his work. As far as I know, and I knew him intimately for almost sixty years, he never aroused enmity. He was fortunate in the possession of natural gifts. He had a strong, well-built body and a handsome face. He was gifted with superb talent, had a beautiful, devoted wife and a grand sense of humor. About fifty years ago, the MacDowell Colony had sufficient means to maintain an art gallery here in New York City where self-selected groups of ten or twelve artists held exhibitions of their work. One of these groups to which Speicher and I belonged included Bellows, Davey, Glackens, Henri, Hopper, Luks, Prendergast, Shinn, and Sloan. Others were also invited on occasion. Speicher had all of us in a state over an incident at the home of George and Emma Bellows who gave a dinner for most of the above-mentioned group to celebrate the completion and demonstration of two machines concocted by Bellows and myself, designed to squeeze out the last iota of paint we felt was being wasted. Both machines squeezed well and were duly applauded. Speicher, however, advanced with a solemn face, picked up the exhausted tubes and with his strong fingers squeezed an extra quarter inch of color out of each. That was the last appearance of the machines.

Speicher was the recipient of many well-deserved honors. He also served our Academy and his fellow artists on committees and juries of award. He impressed his confreres in the same service with his sensitive judgment and fair decisions. In addition, his presence at such meetings was always rewarding, because his delightful personal qualities enriched them.

A life such as his contributes to the advancement of art and to warm civilized living.