KATHARINE HEPBURN’S FAVORITE PORTRAIT, A MINI-HISTORY

One of the many rare treasures hanging in the Old Saybrook Historical Society’s Archives Building is this portrait of Katharine Hepburn. It was received directly from Ms. Hepburn in 2002, a year before she died, as a personal gift to the Historical Society. It is 28 by 46 inches, oil on canvas. It hung in her New York City apartment and was a favorite of hers.

In her later years, advisors suggested she donate the portrait to the Smithsonian or the Connecticut Historical Society. But she was not satisfied with their plans to display it. Instead, she decided it should live in her hometown of Old Saybrook, at the Historical Society. Old Saybrook and Fenwick were where her family had lived and where she grew up, lived, retired and the place where she died in 2003.

The Canadian artist, Myfanwy Pavelic, (her first name is pronounced mavonwee) painted the Hepburn portrait in 1988. The artist had previously painted several other notable personalities, including former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Ms. Hepburn is shown at the artist’s home on Canada’s Vancouver Island, sitting on concrete steps leading down to the water. She sits next to a script, dressed in her familiar, casual attire.

Two years after her death, Miss Hepburn’s family granted the Town the right to name the newly converted town hall theater building after her and thus, the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center was born. A few years ago the theater established a Katharine Hepburn Museum which contains numerous Hepburn mementos, but not her favorite portrait. It remains just down the street at the Historical Society. Anyone visiting the Archives Building for historical research is welcome to view the portrait.

By: Lamar Lemonte, Old Saybrook Historical Society