In Memory of Dorothy Donovan Hale: January 11, 1905 - October 21, 1938

Dorothy Hale

El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale

Myra Bairstow

By Myra Bairstow

The 21st of October is a date of personal reflection for me. I continue to support and be enthralled by the story of Dorothy Donovan Hale because the true narrative of her life is finally being pieced together, seventy-four years after her death.

The liberation of this story is unusual because it was unraveled through a painting. The odds were stacked against the survival of this particular painting. It was almost destroyed out of anger. Sections of the canvas were irreverently covered up and overpainted. The picture was crated and placed in storage for thirty years before unexpectedly resurfacing. Fortunately, it was donated to a museum where it resides today. The painting, ‘El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale’, is a survivor, like the icon who painted it, Frida Kahlo, and like the subject it depicts, Dorothy Donovan Hale.

When I first saw Frida’s haunting painting of Dorothy, I had no idea it would lead me on a fascinating and provocative journey that would unravel at its own pace and linger with me for over a decade of my life. As I write my book about Dorothy Hale and my experiences along the way, I am eager to share her unknown, yet deeply layered life as well as the mysteries I’ve discovered around her tragic and premature death. I am proud to be the first researcher to locate and contact the family of Dorothy and listen to their stories. I am grateful to Dorothy’s niece, Penny, who embraced my study of her aunt and who shared with me detailed aspects of the Donovan family history. Importantly, Penny lived with Dorothy’s father, James Donovan, for the first eleven years of her life and she grew up witnessing his grief and listening to his viewpoints.

During our numerous conversations and correspondences, Penny said that she wanted me to meet one of her cousins whom she thought had some personal items of Dorothy’s that might assist in my research. Unfortunately, she had lost contact with this particular cousin for over a decade. Until Penny’s death, she continued to search for her cousin, but the quest was unsuccessful.

It would take many, many years, but serendipitously and very unexpectedly I would cross paths with Penny’s cousin. This took place only last month. Thanks to the generosity and trust of Penny’s cousin, my book will be enriched with more documentation about Dorothy.

The first year we met, Penny called me on October 21st and made a request. She asked if I could conspicuously leave a rose in remembrance of Dorothy near the vicinity of the Hampshire House on Central Park South. I have carried on this tradition for years, even after Penny passed away. This October 21st will be no different. In memory of Dorothy Donovan Hale and the entire Donovan family.

Myra Bairstow

“In Wonderland” Exhibit Making Its Final Stop in Mexico City This Month

The Museo de Arte Moderno (Museum of Modern Art) in Mexico City will be hosting the final showing of “In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States” beginning October 3, 2012. The exhibit, featuring masterpieces by famed surrealist women painters, began its journey at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, then Canada's National Museum of Fine Arts in Québec before making its final stop in Mexico City.

The Suicide of Dorothy Hale

Although Frida Kahlo’s famous painting of Dorothy Hale will not be on display during the final stop, other works by Frida will be featured along with many other historical and poignant works by famous surrealist women painters.

On March 31, 2012, author and playwright Myra Bairstow, presented a lecture titled “Frida Kahlo’s Portrait of Dorothy Hale: Dreams, Dramas and Revelations” in conjunction with the opening of the exhibit. During her riveting lecture, Myra presented the audience with never-before-seen documents, letters and photos that were uncovered during her decade-long research of the painting and the subject: Dorothy Hale.





View a portion of her interview with 10NBC:

A Recap of the Myra Bairstow’s Myth Series

El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale

In the 1930s, Dorothy Hale was an actress, living in New York City. At age 33, on October 21, 1938, she was found dead on the sidewalk outside of her NYC apartment. Her death was ruled a suicide. On November 1, 1938, Dorothy’s friend, Clare Boothe Luce met famed surrealist Frida Kahlo at the Julien Levy Gallery. Clare hired Frida to paint a portrait of Dorothy as a gift for Dorothy’s grieving mother. Instead of a portrait, Frida painted an eerie rendition of Dorothy’s death. Clare was horrified by the painting, “El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale” and had sections of the canvas repainted. The picture was sent to storage for nearly thirty years. In the 1960s the painting resurfaced and was given to the Phoenix Art Museum by an ‘anonymous donor’.

Author and art scholar, Myra Bairstow became intrigued with the painting and began exploring the life and death of Dorothy Hale. Her research unearthed numerous mysteries and mistruths about Dorothy Hale. The following is a recap of Myra’s “Myth Series” that details Clare Luce’s inconsistent quotes and incorrect narratives about Dorothy Hale.

In Myth #1, we learned that Clare commissioned Frida Kahlo to paint a portrait of Dorothy for her grieving mother. Here is what Mrs. Luce said in Hayden Herrera’s biography of Frida Kahlo, “Suddenly it came to me that a portrait of Dorothy by a famous painter friend might be something her poor mother might like to have. I said so, and Kahlo thought so too. I asked the price, Kahlo told me, and I said, ‘Go ahead. Send the portrait to me when it is finished. I will then send it on to Dorothy’s mother.’ say: The inaccuracy with Clare Luce’s statement is that Dorothy’s mother had died when Dorothy was 16 years old. Dorothy’s father never remarried.
View: Myth #1

In Myths #2 and #3, we discussed the alleged suicide note left only to Clare. As Clare stated in Hayden Herrera’s biography of Frida Kahlo, “The only message she {Dorothy} had left in the apartment was a note addressed to me. She thanked me for my friendship and asked me to see that her mother, who lived in upstate New York, was notified so that arrangements could be made to have her buried in the family plot.” Again, the inaccuracy with Clare Luce’s statement is that Dorothy’s mother was not living when Dorothy died . In addition, Dorothy’s family never lived in upstate New York—they lived in Pennsylvania.
View: Myth #2, Myth #3

In Myth #4, it was continuously stated that Dorothy resided in a “top-story” suite in the Hampshire House in New York City. In fact, Dorothy lived at Hampshire House, but in a studio apartment on the 16th floor.
View: Myth #4

In Myths #5 and #6, Myra further explores the relationship between Dorothy and Roosevelt advisor, Harry Hopkins. In Clare’s interviews about Dorothy, she insinuated that Dorothy committed suicide after FDR ordered Hopkins to end his relationship with Dorothy. Interestingly enough, Dorothy was seeing another man before her untimely death. In interviews with Dorothy’s family members, Myra discovered the family believed that Dorothy was the one to break off the relationship with Hopkins.
View: Myth #5, Myth #6

In Myths #7 and #8, Clare expressed her distaste with Dorothy’s supposed lavish spending and did not want to attend the farewell party Dorothy was throwing for herself. Clare declined and told Dorothy to wear her “old Madame X black velvet” dress. last sentence--instead: Interestingly, Dorothy was hosting a party for Ambassador Laurence Steinhardt, not for herself. She was not wearing an old ‘Madame X’ dress, but a new dress she had recently purchased.
View: Myth #7, Myth #8

Myths Photo Gallery 

Clare Boothe Luce	Dorothy Hale
Frida Kahlo	The note from Frida to Clare Boothe Luce
Receipt for black evening gown	Portion of the Montreal Gazette
Harry Hopkins, TIME Magazine July 1938	FDR (left) with Harry Hopkins (right)

National Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15th to October 15th, the United States joins together in celebration of the rich heritage, culture and contributions of Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America for National Hispanic Heritage Month.

According to the National Hispanic Heritage Month web site, the “day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.”

The Huffington post is celebrating by paying tribute to none other than Frida Kahlo with a photo gallery of some of Frida’s most iconic moments. Take a look at photo gallery: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/16/national-hispanic-heritage-month-2012-frida-kahlopictures-photos-style_n_1888126.html

We’d like to pay tribute to Frida by posting our most favorite image of the prolific artist. Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!

Gardner Hale’s Art Studio at 23 Charlton Street, New York City

Gardner Hale, Dorothy’s husband, was famous for popularizing the fresco revival in the United States in the early 1900s. During the 1920s, his New York City studio was located at 23 Charlton Street - an area in New York City that is still known for its creative residents and art galleries. 

Gardner Hale’s Art Studio at 23 Charlton Street, NYC, NY

 In this letter to Mary Fanton Roberts, a journalist at the time, he expresses his hopes of explaining the term “fresco” to the world in an article. He also invites her to a cocktail hour at his and Dorothy’s apartment on Upper East Side.

Archive of American Art

Dorothy Donovan Hale & Princess Estelle Bernadotte of Sweden

Before meeting muralist Gardner Hale, Dorothy spent time in Paris taking art classes. She shared a studio with her friend from New York, Estelle Manville, where the two studied and worked in the medium of sculpture.

In 1928, the same year Gardner and Dorothy married, Estelle married Swedish diplomat Count Folke Bernadotte. Read more about Estelle Bernadotte and her legacy.

Count Bernadotte and His Bride Leaving the Church
New York Time, December 2, 1928

Incidentally, Princess Victoria Bernadotte's newborn daughter's namesake has been rumored to take inspiration by that of Estelle Manville. Princess Victoria recently held the inauguration ceremony for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Stockholm. View the article and images from the event.

Dorothy and Gardner Hale’s New York City Apartment Building

Dorothy and Gardner Hale lived at 240 East 79th Street in New York City after they were married. The Upper East Side building is located between Second and Third Avenues. As you can see, the Art Deco-style facade has been maintained and is in excellent condition.