Timeline
The timeline below presents events in the life of Fort Worth artists Scott and Stuart Gentling. Unless otherwise noted, the information cited in this chronology is drawn primarily from the Scott and Stuart Gentling Papers housed in the Carter's archives. The papers, which include letters, documents, and diaries of the brothers, along with hundreds of sketches, photographs, and preparatory drawings, offer a nearly comprehensive look into the lives of the Gentling brothers and their collaborative approach to art making.
1940s
1942
On December 31, Stuart William and Scott Gregory are born in Rochester, Minnesota, to Allen Gentling, an anesthesiologist, and Barbara (Johnson) Gentling, who later earns a degree in social work. They join an older brother, Peter. Their sister, Suzanne, is born four years later.jump to citation[x]
Citations
- ↵ Fritz Lanham, “Fort Worth Twins Share Interests, Talents,” Houston Chronicle, Feb. 3, 2002.
1948
Allen becomes the head of anesthesiology at Harris Methodist Hospital, and the family moves to Fort Worth, Texas, in April.jump to citation[x]
Citations
- ↵ “Gentling Heads Anesthesia Dept.,” You Name It! 1, no. 2 (Feb. 1948): 1–2, uncatalogued material, Scott and Stuart Gentling Papers, Amon Carter Museum of American Art Archive (hereinafter, “Gentling Papers”); Scott Gentling, [Biographical statement] (unpublished manuscript), n.d., 1, R2019.001.02.00231, Valley House Gallery Archive, Amon Carter Museum of American Art Research Collection (hereinafter, “Valley House Archive”).
1949
Allen resigns his position at Harris Methodist to take a “better job” and moves the family to San Marino, California.jump to citation[x]
Citations
- ↵ “Hospital Seeks Way to Keep Contract Men,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Aug. 22, 1949. Peter Gentling, interview by Scott Grant Barker, Dec. 28, 2019 (unpublished transcript), 13, in the Scott Grant Barker Collection of Scott and Stuart Gentling Research, Amon Carter Museum of American Art Archives (hereinafter, “Barker Collection”).
1950s
1950
The family returns to Fort Worth after a “bad year” in California.jump to citation[x] They settle at 5109 Bryce Ave.jump to citation[x]
Citations
- ↵ Stuart Gentling, “Southern States” (unpublished manuscript), n.d., 6, in Series 3, Southern States, Manuscript folder, Gentling Papers; Peter Gentling interview, 13.
- ↵ Peter Gentling interview, 10; Suzanne Gentling, interview by Scott Barker, Sept. 23, 2019 (unpublished transcript), 1, Barker Collection.
1954
Stuart begins learning taxidermy through a correspondence course.jump to citation[x]
Citations
- ↵ Stuart Gentling, “Of Birds and Texas, Audubon and Us” in Of Birds and Texas (Austin: University of Texas Press, 2001), 16.
1956
Stuart, browsing through bird books in the library at the Fort Worth Children’s Museum (now the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History), finds Robert Havell Jr.’s prints for John James Audubon’s Birds of America. Fascinated by plate 206, Wood Duck (Aix sponsa), Stuart attempts to reproduce it in watercolor. Scott, who “already knew how to paint reasonably well with watercolors,” offers helpful hints.jump to citation[x]
Citations
- ↵ Gentling, “Of Birds and Texas, Audubon and Us,” 16.
1957
Scott finishes a painting of American Eiders based on an Audubon print. Stuart later writes, “I sincerely believe that our lives as artists began with that painting.”jump to citation[x]
The brothers travel alone by bus to Natchez, Mississippi, where they see unrestored antebellum plantation houses and an Audubon oil painting of Natchez from 1820.jump to citation[x]
Citations
1958
The boys, now with driver’s licenses, take a road trip visiting Audubon sites from Mississippi to Kentucky.jump to citation[x]
Citations
- ↵ Gentling, “Of Birds and Texas, Audubon and Us,” 17.
1959-60
Scott receives his first formal art training, taking still-life classes at the Fort Worth Art Center (now the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth) from artist John Chumley.jump to citation[x] Stuart eventually joins Scott in the classroom, where another of their teachers is James Blake.jump to citation[x]