Frank Bicknell

(1866 - 1943)

In The Fox Chase, Frank Bicknell is shown pulling himself over a small rise, looking up towards the bare-chested Childe Hassam painting at his easel. Despite this somewhat clumsy caricature, Bicknell was described as “rather tall and slender with dark hair and a very light mustache” by an unidentified reporter for a San Francisco newspaper, who interviewed Bicknell as he prepared to board the S.S. Coptic to Japan in 1895. This was one of more than a dozen ocean voyages Bicknell would take during his life.

Bicknell began his artistic training with his father’s cousin, the artist Albion Harris Bicknell (1837-1915), in Malden, Massachusetts. He later trained in New York and Paris. By 1892, not only was one of his paintings accepted into the French Salon, a statement of worldwide artistic acclaim, but it was hung at eye level rather than “skied,” a rare and desirable occurrence indeed for an American first timer. Once back in the United States, Bicknell rented a lush studio in the famed Towers of Madison Square Garden where he would host musicales for members of high society. 

“Well-how are you? I’m miserable. Eating 6 (Square) meals a day and growing thinner by the hour. Wish you might come to town and see Academy shows. Lyme is ‘in evidence.’”

~ Artist Frank Bicknell in letter to Miss Florence

Although he was very social, Bicknell never married. Indeed, he was most likely gay and traveled often with companions to various fashionable and exotic locales. The New York society columns were filled with his travel exploits: “In November Mr. Bicknell will leave Paris with Mr. Jack Holbrook to spend the winter in Italy and on the Nile.” By 1902, he adopts the members of the Lyme Art Colony as his “family” and has long been considered one of Miss Florence’s favorites. He painted a panel with mountain laurel and birch trees for her dining room.

His letters to her are playful and intimate, suggesting that he would even stay in her barn if he had to.

When in residence at the boardinghouse he would join in the fun, playing cards, and adding to the regular hi-jinks. He considered himself one of the “inmates” of the house.

After 1909, he would share the house and studio up the road with fellow artist Lewis Cohen, who eventually left it to Bicknell.

“Can you and will you stow me away somewhere in the big house about the last week in September? Or the first of October at the latest? Please do not say no – Put me in the barn if you will – but come to Lyme I must – sometime this Autumn.”

~ Artist Frank Bicknell in a letter to Miss Florence, 1907

“Please give my kindest regards to the “Inmates” whom I have the pleasure of being acquainted with – and send me a word – if only a postcard – with cheering sentiments – Believe me.”

~ Artist Frank Bicknell, in a letter to Miss Florence, 1907