In remarks over the years to relatives, art historians and journalists, the minister said much of the art was either from Hoppers as a token of appreciation, or for safekeeping, or that Hoppers used them as youthful or preparatory works. It was given to him because he considered — Throw away things they no longer care about.
Hoppers rarely gifted art, Levin said, and all such gifts were documented, and hundreds of items, especially younger pieces Hopper would not have put on the market, were never gifted. Although there is no record that Hopper gave gifts to ministers, art historian and Hopper expert Elizabeth Thompson Correary notes that Josephine Hopper, who was also an artist, gave gifts to ministers, including the phrase “to ARS.” She said she kept a ledger of her own paintings. About a dozen watercolors showing that they were handed over to Sanborn.
“To the best of my knowledge of those who have shared with me their reflections on Reverend Sanborn and Hoppers,” said Colliery, a Sanborn family friend. I need a minister. ”
Josephine Hopper named the minister as one of fourteen beneficiaries in her will, but the will left him no art. She was one of six people appointed to divide the remainder of her estate after other beneficiaries received an inheritance.
At the time of Josephine’s death, Nyak’s house had been sold to Juanita P. Lynette, who also had a deal to purchase its contents, her daughter, Margo Lynette, recalled in a recent interview. Lynette, who is an artist herself, was particularly interested in the house because of the many works by Hopper in the attic.
Months before the closure, her daughter asked if Sanborn could enter the house and bring an unspecified item when she and her mother were upstairs. “He became belligerent,” she said.