BUCKLAND — Polly Anderson of Buckland will give an illustrated talk on local artist Edwin Romanzo Elmer (1850-1923) at the Buckland Historical Society’s annual pie social Friday at the Buckland Public Hall on Upper Street.
The talk begins at 7 p.m., followed by the pie social.
Elmer’s best known painting, “The Mourning Picture,” depicts his Buckland home, which was built with his brother in 1876 and still stands on Bray Road. This and two other paintings, “Lady of Baptist Corner” and “Magic Glasses,” are acknowledged as his masterpieces, according to Anderson, an artist and longtime art teacher in West County.
“Through the presentation, we’ll see that the artist walked the streets of Shelburne Falls as it was being built,” and “as he saw Buckland burn in “The Great Fire of 1876,” said Anderson.
“The Mourning Picture” is now displayed in the Smith Art Museum and it shows how Elmer dealt with his own sorrow over the death of his 9-year-old daughter by picturing her in the yard, apart from the parents who are obviously in mourning dress.
The program, which includes ice cream and pie, costs $6 per adult, $3 for children 12 and under.