Name/Title
The Old HomesteadEntry/Object ID
2014.60.1366Description
Framed color picture of an old farm house. The farmhouse is built in a T-shape, with the lower half of the house facing the viewer. The lower half has two doors, and a porch with a pair of shorts hanging on the cloths. To the right of the porch are two open wooden doors leading into what appears to be a shed. Next to the open doors is another clothesline with long underwear hanging. The top half of the building is paneled with wood, and has a tiled roof with a brick chimney, smoke is coming out of the chimney. There is a dirt path leading to the door of the house. On both sides of the path there is a green lawn. The right side lawn has a large tree in the foreground of the drawing. The left side lawn has a bush that is right against the house. Some branches of a tree are sticking out of the left side of the frame. On the left side of the frame is the title, "The Old Homestead." On the right bottom corner, written on the picture is the artists signature, and the date, "1929." The back of the frame is covered in cardboard, which is taped to the frame. Written on the cardboard is, "House in East Barre VT/By Al Comi/Barre VT." There is also a white card tapped to the cardboard which reads, "Al Comi/The Old Homestead/1929/colored pencil on cameo paper/Gift of the Estate of Ines Ruvera Comi/2000."Type of Drawing
Colored PencilContext
Alfred Joseph Peter Comi was, born in Barre, Vermont. He graduated from Montpelier High School in 1919, and went to work for Jones Brothers Granite Company in Boston, Massachusetts. While in Boston he furthered his artistic studies by taking life drawing courses at the Copley Studios. He returned to Vermont in the early 1920's and was employed by the Vermont Marble Company in Proctor as a designer. In 1925 he became the chief designer for the Marr and Gordon Granite Company of Barre.
In 1927 he opened the Barre Design Studio, which he operated for several decades. That same year he married Ines Rivera of Barre and they resided in Montpelier until 1935 when they moved permanently to Barre.
He was very highly regarded and sought after in the granite industry. In fact, Anderson-Friberg's owner, Melvin Friberg noted "the unanimous respect of the manufacturers and dealers for Comi's designs, saying he is tops among professional designers and an elder statesman in the industry". He further stated "that outstanding orders were still received requesting his expertise and artistry...." long after Mr. Comi had retired.
Al Comi learned to paint with oils at the age of 54, studying under Stan Marc Wright, of Stowe, Vermont in 1954. By 1957 he and other local artists started an art exhibit at the Park on Main St. which attracted several thousand people.
He was the founding member of the Barre Paletteers, served as its president for eleven years and exhibited in every Paletters Art show from 1957 until his death. He was also a member of the Southern Vermont Artists Association, Vermont Art Association, the Chaffee Art Museum of Rutland, and Northern Vermont Artists.Acquisition
Accession
2014.60Source or Donor
Barre Historical Society, Inc.Acquisition Method
TransferMade/Created
Artist
Comi, Alfred Joseph Peter (1900-1986)Date made
1929Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
DrawingNomenclature Class
ArtNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsDimensions
Width
16-3/4 inLength
12-3/4 inRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Comi, Alfred Joseph Peter (1900-1986)