THE DANIEL SANTRY STORY-1858-1915
by Samuel M. Robbins, West Newton MA

Little did anyone in the family of plumbers, into which Daniel Santry was born in Boston, expect that he would become an artist. But as a boy he was always drawing. Finally at the age of 18 he announced that he wanted to become a painter. He had met the artist Benjamin Champney who offered art lessons at night after work at the rate of 50 cents per hour, (equivalent to $45 in 2012). Champney had started in life as a clerk in a shoe store and John J. Enneking had begun as a clerk in a tinsmith's shop. He encouraged Santry to get a job as a retail sales clerk. He advised that with a few hundred dollars he could make his way to Paris, take lessons, absorb the art spirit of the times and come home to make his way in the art world. He warned him that "impressionism" was a fad and would be short-lived. Santry also studied with other local artists Samuel Griggs and Samuel Lancaster.

So Daniel obtained a retail clerk's job downtown at C. F. Hovey, a well-known specialty store. Finally five years later, he arrived in Paris. He was determined to take lessons from Pissarro, the impressionist "old master". Pissarro announced that he did not give lessons, but Santry insisted. The two finally agreed that Daniel could accompany him, and while painting outdoors, would make a few observations that might be helpful,

After seven years of attending an art school run by a master who did not give lessons, Daniel Santry was ready to go home.

He struggled for four years. He exhibited at the Boston Art Club. He opened a small store - which failed. But he responded to an ad looking for an "artist in residence" at the Sunset Hill House in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire. Then followed 23 years of successful painting from 1891-1915. He was not feeling good that winter, returned to Boston, and died of kidney failure. He left an estate of 1200 paintings for us to rediscover.

Daniel Santry was a lifelong resident of Duxbury, Massachusetts. He painted landscapes in the Duxbury area early in his career before traveling to France to study with Camille Pissarro. Upon his return to New England, he painted the White Mountains of New Hampshire in his evolved, impressionistic style.

Santry was elected a Member of the Boston Art Club and has been exhibited there as well as at the Bruce Museum.

Submitted by Douglas Nelson, White Mountain Art Collector.