AN ICONIC COLLEGE VIEW: "TUFTS COLLEGE" RUMMELL, RICHARD (1848-1924)

Tufts College

Richard Rummell

Restrike engraving from the original plate (c.1913)

Printed on heavy woven paper and hand colored

Plate Size: 17 x 29 ¼ 

Price: $600.00

At the turn of the century, the accomplished landscape artist Richard Rummell (1848-1924) painted a panoramic bird’s-eye view watercolor of Tufts College. In this selection of paintings of American colleges and universities, Rummell selected the twenty best colleges in the nation at the time of painting. His inclusion of these universities in his oeuvre indicates his immense respect for these institutions. From this watercolor, a copper-plate was engraved and a limited number of pulls (engravings) were distributed. Today, Arader Galleries owns the collection of copper plates used for engraving and watercoloring. Using the original process and 100 year old original plates, Arader is proudly re-striking and making the beautiful college view available for acquisition the same way it was 100 years ago.

“I will put a light on it,” proclaimed Charles Tufts, the Boston businessman who donated the initial 20 acres which Tufts students and alumni deem their home today. He was referencing his goals of turning the sprawling hills of Medford, Massachusetts into a source of “illumination” for students. Seeking an educational institution, the Universalist Church aimed to have Tufts as a college for Universalists. Tufts College would receive its charter in 1852, making Tufts the third college in the Boston area. 

Its original education included great focus on the education of Latin and Greek combined with mathematics. Hosea Ballou II formed this curriculum after his travels studying the practices of other universities. However, in 1865, it would soon expand to have a strong program in engineering. Tufts College would later become Tufts University in 1954. Beyond the spectacular curriculum and all of Tufts University’s wonderful programs, it has arguably the most recognizable mascot amongst American colleges: Jumbo the Elephant. In 1885, Jumbo became the mascot for Tufts College after P.T. Barnum, one of Tuft’s trustees and a circus showman, gave the college Jumbo’s stuffed hide as a gift. It would later remain in Barnum Hall until 1975, when a fire took both Barnum Hall and Jumbo. 

It seems that Rummell, rightfully so, gives great emphasis to one of the most special parts of Tuft University’s campus, President’s Lawn. Rummell is likely painting from just behind the intersection of College Avenue, Talbot Avenue, and Professors Row. The first building that comes into site is Eaton Hall. Built in 1908, this building served as the Eaton Memorial Library before later housing many different academic departments. It was originally donated by Andrew Carnegie. 

To the left of Eaton Hall, the Goddard Chapel shines over the surrounding buildings. The building was completed in 1883 and pays homage to Tufts Trustee Thomas Goddard. Following its construction, Boston media heralded the Goddard Chapel as an immensely beautiful structure. Rummell’s detail in depicting the chapel helps any Tufts alum recall the beauty not only of the Goddard Chapel, but President’s Lawn and Tufts University’s campus on the whole. Although somewhat difficult to see, Ballou Hall resides just to the left of Goddard Chapel. Named for Tufts University’s first president, the building was completed in 1853. In the bottom left corner, Rummell paints a sporting event and spectators in “The Oval” or the Ellis Oval. 

With Rummell’s detailed artwork and effort to depict many campus activities, he gives a true sense of the atmosphere of Tufts University at the turn of the century. For any alumni of Tufts University, this piece offers a wonderful way to remember their own time at Tufts University. It is truly a unique piece. 

To order a college view, please email loricohen@aradergalleries.com or call 215-796-0358 (mobile) or 215-735-8811 (landline).