Week 1 The Cone Sisters

Assignment:

• The Cone Sisters of Baltimore Collecting at Full Tilt by Ellen B. Hirschland and Nancy Hirschland Ramage

• Read The Preface, Chapters 1-5 and Answer the Following Questions. 

Chapter 2 Family 

1. Describe the family background of the Kahn family. 

Chapter 3 Etta Opens the Door

1.      Describe the education of the Cone Sisters.

2.      How did Etta at age 22 meet the Steins? 

3     Why didn’t the Steins stay long in Baltimore?

4.      What were Etta’s first purchases following her father’s death in 1897?

Each sister received a yearly annuity of $2,400  worth $67,280 today. 

After concluding their studies in Harvard the Steins returned to Baltimore. Gertrude enrolled in Johns Hopkins Medical School in 1897 but failed there and Leo went to Florence to study art history.

5.      When was Etta’s first trip to Europe? Who did she visit?

Etta's second trip to Europe was in the summer of 1903. This time she sailed to Europe with Claribel. The following year she sailed to Europe with Gertrude Stein. Etta stayed 3 years, Gertrude stayed 30 years.  

In the fall of 1905 Etta volunteered to type Stein's book Three Lives without permission to read it. 

    6.      The two sisters go to the Salon d'Automne in 1905 with the Steins. What did the sisters think of the work at the exhibit?

7.      How did the Cone sisters meet Picasso?

     8.      How did Etta meet Matisse?

9.   Why did Etta leave Paris in the fall of 1906?

10.      How would you describe the relationship between Etta Cone and Gertrude Stein?

11.   How did the sisters feel about Alice B. Toklas?

Moses Cone died in Dec. 1908. His death had a profound effect on Etta.

In 1913 Leo Stein would leave Gertrude Stein, dividing their collection. Leo took the 16 Renoirs. Gertrude kept all of the Picassos and some of the Cezannes, although Leo took the Cezanne painting of Five Apples.

Chapter 4 The Decided Doctor Claribel

    1.      What stands out for you about Claribel Cone? 

2.      What do you think of Claribel’s decision to remain in Germany during WW!?

Chapter 5 The Roaring Twenties

1.      Describe the Marlborough apartments.  

2. Why was 1922 an important year?

3.      How did the Steins try to manipulate the Cone sisters financially?

4.      How much did Claribel pay for Cezanne’s Mt. St. Victoire Seen from the Bibemus Quarry 6/24/1925?

5.      Why did Claribel buy Van Goghs painting of The Boots even though she didn’t like it?

6.      What was Claribel’s last purchase?

Assignment;

• Watch an hour-long BBC documentary  about the Cone sisters

Images for Class 1