The November 1880 issue of The American Art Review included a review of Cincinnati Artists of the Munich School, with Farny being one of the artists discussed. The article includes a multipage bio of Farny, with some mistakes, such as the Farny family having to escape France “by flight”, when in actuality they had a leisurely trek across France, staying in Paris several days site seeing, or Giglampz being launched in 1867 rather than the correct date of 1874. All that said there is plenty of correct information.
It’s interesting to note that the writer comments on Farny’s studio, which “is a place rich in Indian trappings from the Far West”. Given this article was likely completed in mid-to-late 1880, this is further proof of at least one Farny travel-adventure West, such as the 1877 trip, prior to the generally accepted date of his first trip in 1881.
Despite his “Indian trappings”, the author of the article does not mention any Indian paintings, underscoring it wasn’t Farny’s niche just yet, but rather highlighted “The Silent Guest” as one of his best works of oil. The writer also brought up “The Idyl”, a drawing which highlights Farny’s “poetical sentiment, as well as his skill in the use of the pen”.
Here is the drawing mentioned in the article:
A December 1880 article in The Cincinnati Commercial found Farny agreeing with his friends, that “Idyl” was one of his finest illustrations to date.
