Harold Mathews Brett, 1880 – 1955

Best known for his New England scenes and portraits, American artist Harold Matthews Brett (1880-1955) worked for several decades as a painter and illustrator. His illustrations were featured in such important publications as Harper's Weekly, Collier's Weekly, and The Saturday Evening Post, and his paintings are held by the Brandywine River Museum, the Cape Cod Museum of Fine Art, and others.

Brett's style has been likened to that of Norman Rockwell, as both artists captured quintessential moments in American life meant to convey emotion and nostalgia.

This portrait of Dean Gildersleeve in Reid Hall's archives, one of two by Harold Brett in Columbia University's collection, was unveiled on August 2, 1956 at a dinner in honor of the 37th Council of the International Federation of University Women (IFUW) at Reid Hall.

After 36 years at the helm, Virginia Gildersleeve, Dean of Barnard College, retired in 1947, and began spending summers on Cape Cod. Brett's portrait of her was executed ca. 1945, so it stands to reason that the two met somewhere around Brett's Chatham, Massachusetts studio.