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Correspondence
from the Monasteries

Stanley Roseman
The
MONASTIC LIFE
Abbot Finnian at his Desk, 1983
Mellifont Abbey, Ireland
Chalks on paper, 50 x 35 cm
National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin
     Three years after Roseman and Davis sojourned at Mellifont Abbey, they received news from Father Thomas, archivist and librarian, who in ongoing correspondence writes to say: "Dom Enda's term of office having expired we had an election and who should be elected but Father Finnian so well known to both of you."
     The newly elected Abbot writes to the artist and his colleague in appreciation for their congratulations:
The Election of an Abbot
    "Thank you for your recent letter and laudatory remarks. I only wish I could live up to them and be the kind father of the community. . . . We look forward to seeing you again.''
     Roseman and Davis returned to Mellifont Abbey in January of 1983 when the artist created the superb drawings Abbot Finnian at his Desk, reproduced at the top of the page; and Abbot Finnian at Vespers, (fig. 2). Both works were acquired for the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin. (See also "The Monastic Life" - Page 2 "The Emerald Isle.") In appreciation to the monks of Mellifont Abbey for their hospitality and encouragement, Roseman and Davis made a gift of the artist's drawings to the monastery. The gift included a companion work to the National Gallery drawing of Abbot Finnian kneeling in prayer at Vespers. Father Thomas writes in a thoughtful letter of appreciation:
Correspondence from Frère Élie of the Abbey of La Trappe
4. Frère Élie at Vespers, 1982
Abbaye de la Trappe
Chalks on paper, 50 x 35 cm
Collection of the artist
"Dear Stan and Dear Ron,
    (names are short when friendship is long)
     The cordial invitations from the monasteries began with the first letter received in April 1978 from Abbot Gilbert Jones of St. Augustine's Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Ramsgate on the coast of Kent. Addressing his letter to Davis, who wrote to the monasteries to introduce his colleague and explain their request for a visit, Abbot Gilbert writes: "Your letter arrived today so I hasten to answer in the hopes that you will receive it in time before the end of April. Your planned pilgrimage with Stanley Roseman sounds most exciting and of course you may start off here. . . ." Abbot Gilbert reaffirms his invitation in closing: "Let me know when to expect you." (See page "From the Artist's Memoirs," which relates Roseman and Davis' first days in a monastery.)
    The letters and cards from Benedictines, Cistercians, Trappists, and Carthusians constitute an important documentation on contemporary monastic life as well as an extraordinary correspondence between an artist and his models.
    "The drawings are truly magnificent and a splendid gift for this abbey. We will be forever in your debt. In due time I shall have them framed for the admiration of not only the community but of everyone of note who visits the monastery. . . .
    "Though into October the weather in this part of the world is still very mild. We are getting our share of rain and to that extent it is typically Irish weather. Our two new novices are settling in fine so our hopes of survival are more optimistic than when I last wrote. Small Brother Peter is in hospital after, above all things for one so slim, a heart attack. Br. Dominic is also in hospital. Apart from those we are all in the best of form.
    "With renewed thanks for both your unsurpassable generosity and with love from Fr. Finnian, the community, and yours truly.''
© Stanley Roseman and Ronald Davis - All Rights Reserved
Visual imagery and website content may not be reproduced in any form whatsoever.
    "We were really pleased to learn of the success of the exhibition at the Albertina. . . . Our sincerest wish for you is to earn even more success. . . .
- Father Thomas Forde, OCSO
  Mellifont Abbey
- Frère Élie Levée, OCSO
  Abbey of La Trappe
- Frère Élie
A Change of Jobs: from the Guesthouse to the Orchard
     Mount St. Bernard Abbey, in Leicestershire, was the first Trappist monastery in which the artist worked. Father Mark was a caring guestmaster to Roseman and Davis during their sojourns at Mount St. Bernard Abbey in spring and summer of 1978. Father Mark, organist and composer of church music, was greatly encouraging to Roseman, introduced the artist to members of the community, and thoughtfully provided him with a spare room where he could prepare his canvases and store his paintings. Following Roseman and Davis's sojourns at Mount St. Bernard, they returned to St. Augustine's Abbey, where they received in September a warm letter from Father Mark:
3. Stanley Roseman and Frère Élie,
Abbey of La Trappe, 1979.
"I have been very happy to receive your kind letter with good news of both of you and can see that everybody and every country in Europe is especially fond of your work (and of the workers). . . .
"None of us here has forgotten both of you and all send best regards. Life goes on, unchanged, in the presence of God Who is the reality of each instant.
"With my Love - and God bless you."
Returning to Mellifont Abbey
2. Abbot Finnian at Vespers
1983, Mellifont Abbey, Ireland
Chalks on paper, 50 x 35 cm
National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin
     The first letter of invitation from a monastery in Ireland was from Father Finnian, seen in the drawing at the top of the page, who was guestmaster at the Trappist Abbey of Mellifont, in County Louth. Mellifont Abbey dates from 1142 with the founding of the first Cistercian monastery in Ireland. Father Finnian writes to Davis: "My Abbot Dom Enda Ducey has asked me to reply to your letter of April 10th. We will be very happy to welcome you and your friend Stanley Roseman to our abbey. . . .'' The Guestmaster thanks Davis for the enclosures he sent about Roseman's work and thoughtfully mentions that if they are not traveling by car, there is good public transport from Dublin. Father Finnian closes: "Looking forward to meeting you and your friend."
     Roseman and Davis' first sojourn at the Abbey of La Trappe, in Normandy, was in the spring of 1979. Frère Élie (Elijah) writes in a cordial letter of invitation on behalf of the Abbot Dom Gérard and the Community: "It is with great pleasure that we shall receive your friend Stanley Roseman and yourself in our monastery." Founded in the twelfth century in Normandy, the Abbey of La Trappe is the birthplace of a rigorous reform of Cistercian monasticism in the seventeenth century. The reform gave rise to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, also known as the Trappist Order.
     Roseman recounts: "Years before Frère Élie entered the Abbey of La Trappe, he had worked in the Far East for an international company, where he learned English. At La Trappe that spring and on a return to the monastery that summer of 1979, Frère Élie invited me to visit him at his post at the gatehouse. I was grateful to have wonderful opportunities for enlightening conversations with him as well as to draw several portraits of the kind and erudite monk who had befriended Ronald and me."
     Frère Élie writes in September 1979:
     Frère Élie thoughtfully presented Roseman and Davis with an inscribed gift-copy of Doctrine de la non-dualité (advaita-vâda) et christianisme, his inspiring book on Eastern and Western interreligious dialogue. The Trappist monk's dedication to the artist and his colleague reads: "To my very good friends Stanley and Ronald - This little book in which I tried to summarize nearly half a century of spiritual quest. With my love, Frère Élie.''
    "Trappists reserve the use of 'Dom' to abbots; other monks are called 'Father' or 'Brother;' 'Father' for a priest, 'Brother' for a non-priest, but nowadays there is a tendancy for calling whatever monk, priest or not, 'Brother.'
    "All your friends here at La Trappe join with me to send to both of you their love; unfortunately (or fortunately for him) one is now missing - Father Jean has come back, on Saturday 21st of May, Whitsuntide's eve, to his God and Father, and we have taken him to his last resting-place, the day after. But he is not really missing; he is still with us another way.
    "The right manner of speaking is 'a monk at Vespers' (or at Mass). . . .
    "God bless you and with my love."
A Thoughtful Gift from Frère Élie
     Roseman's interest in monastic life, his studies on monasticism, and the encouragement of those within the monastic world he came to know led him to write a text about monastic life and his work in monasteries to accompany his paintings and drawings. In the mid-1980's when Roseman was engaged in writing his text, Frère Élie provided the artist with information concerning Trappist monasticism as well as relating events in the Community. Frère Élie writes in June 1983:
(Roseman's drawings and paintings from La Trappe are presented on the page "Monastic Journey Continued.")
    "My dear Stan and Ron,
    "Ever so many thanks for both your letters (i.e. one each). I was glad to hear you've settled down at Ramsgate.
    "I'm gradually getting accustomed to my new jobs. It'll take a year, at least, to find out what one has to do and when in the orchard. At present, there's a massive apple crop ripening up and that will need picking before long. Fr Benedict comes into his own on these occasions." [Father Mark is referring to the amiable, eighty-four year-old, bespectacled Scotsman, seen in the portrait presented below, fig. 7.]
     Father Mark thoughtfully closes:
The Abstemious Trappist Diet
     In ongoing correspondence, Frère Élie kindly provided Roseman with information about the abstemious Trappist diet for the artist's text on the Abbey of La Trappe and Trappist monasticism. In September 1984 Frère Élie writes:
6. Father Benedict,
Portrait of a Trappist Monk
, 1978
Mount St. Bernard Abbey, England
Oil on canvas, 80 x 60 cm
Private collection, Switzerland
    "Delighted to get your very kind and affectionate letter - have very pleasant memories of your visit - always welcome - just had a big celebration - Platinum Jubilee of 70 years being a monk of Mt St Bernard. Will be 91 soon but feel very young about 20. God bless you both."
- Father Benedict Glynn, OCSO
  Mount St Bernard Abbey
     The amiable Trappist monk writes to Roseman and Davis in August 1984:
     Father Mark, keeping in touch over the years, writes in October 1998 to Roseman:
    "It was warming to have your appreciative remarks about your time here. . . . It was an exciting time. Posterity will benefit from your work. . . ."
A Carthusian Monk Writes a Letter Relating his Mystical Experience
    "My dear Stanley and Ronald,
     I am deeply affected that still now after so long time you do not forget me.
     I too wish you a joyous and graceful Christmas and a happy new year in best health.
     In deep love, Your Brother Louis''
- Father Mark
- Father Mark Hartley, OCSO
  Mount St Bernard Abbey
5. Frère Samuel in the Refectory
1997, Abbaye de la Trappe
Black chalk on paper, 50 x 35 cm
Private collection, France
     A related drawing of Brother Louis entered the collection of master drawings of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford University. (The drawing is reproduced along with other of Roseman's works from Carthusian monasteries on the website page "Benedictines, Cistercians, Trappists, and Carthusians," Page 4 - "Carthusians.")
     The artist writes in his journal: "Ronald and I were very moved and honored to receive from Brother Louis his letter from December 1990 in which he shares with us his mystical experience.''
    "Now, don't be terrified on account of what I will tell you. I-self was not frightened at all, for my-self it was merely a decisive turning-point in my life.
    "This happened last year in the night from 12 - 13 August,  Saturday to Sunday.  I was in church singing with our community the night-office.
    "Whilst I was singing with fervor during 3 hours, at the same time I was dying and dying I sang. Singing I died, and dying I sang! Can you figure something like that? I-self can not describe it. After that night I have been until ending of September by day and by night without interruption dying. However this death which I passed through was not a physical death and did not at all hinder me to execute all my daily duties. I made even during that time big works on the roofs. I was not feeling some particular tiredness. Only I had the strong feeling of a progressive detachment from all earthly things and I finished to be absolutely without any earthly needs and desire, to need and to desire God alone. The more I was detached from everything, the more I progressed living a new life with God alone in infinite joy and peace.
    "That's my great event of last year 1989. This year 1990, I am still living on our earth, but like a foreigner and wanderer, whilst my home by God is. I am still working, as servant for God and our house, as long it is pleasant to God until He calls me to Him.
    "I continue to sing with the birds in love, joy, and peace and remember you in my prayers, that God may grant you both a joyful Christmas feast and good new-year 1991 in best health, and all good things.
     Acquiring A Carthusian Monk at Vigils for the Musée Ingres, the distinguished curator Pierre Barousse writes in a cordial letter in October 1986 to Stanley Roseman: "I am, for what is meaningful to me, very sensitive to the purity and the profound interiority expressed in this work of art.''
An Irish Trappist Nun Writes about "the journey inwards'' of the Contemplative Life
    "We have just made our annual retreat, which lasted a week. This deepening of the spirit costs - but anything worthwhile does - and I hope my resolves will last, with God's help. We talk about outer space and 'light years' etc. But the journey inwards is the longest - (did I tell you?) and it takes just as much courage. The soul is greater than the cosmos and few explore it. We won't take time! Great generosity is demanded and not being ready - we put it off - so you see it's a life's work. . . .
8. Sister Immaculata, 1983
St. Mary's Abbey, Ireland
Chalks on paper, 50 x 35 cm
Teylers Museum, Haarlem
     Sister Immaculata, 1983, a portrait of a Trappist nun in prayer, was acquired in 1986 by the Teyler Museum, in the Netherlands. The museum houses a renowned collection of master drawings from the Italian Renaissance, including sheets by Michelangelo and Raphael, and from the seventeenth-century Dutch school, notably drawings by Rembrandt.
     Roseman was given the extraordinary privilege, due to his work on the monastic life, of being taken inside the cloister to draw the Trappist nuns. As with Mother Imelda, Sister Paula was equally encouraging to the artist in his work and thoughtfully introduced him to members of the Community to draw, among whom was an endearing elderly nun Sister Immaculata, whose superb portrait is presented here, (fig. 8).
- Frère Élie
    "Here is the required information:
    " - at breakfast and supper - self service - each monk helps himself according to his desire, but there is neither eggs nor fish, and of course no meat.
    " - at dinner, vegetarian, with eggs only on Tuesday and Saturday - and fish on Thursday (fish or eggs at great feasts, too.)
    " - drinking cider or milk (or wine only at supper) or water
    "But before the Council, no wine, no eggs, no fish at all - breakfast - a bit of bread with malt (milk only on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.)
    "supper - only one course
    "and fasting time - from Sept. 14th to Easter! (not on Sundays and feast days)."
    "That is after Vatican II
Cordial Invitations
     Frère Élie is seen here in Roseman's beautiful drawing of the Trappist monk at Vespers, (fig. 4). The artist draws in bistre and black chalks to describe the voluminous cowl and adds touches of white chalk in the fine detail rendering of the monk's face, eyeglasses, and flowing beard. Frère Élie, with the long sleeves of his cowl covering his hands in reverence to God, recites the Pater Noster.
     In letter of September 1978 to Roseman - a month following the artist's first visit to the Abbey - the Trappist nun thoughtfully shares personal reflections on her vocation and speaks about "the journey inwards'' of the contemplative life:
     Sister Paula expressed wholehearted enthusiasm for Roseman's work, as when she writes in her letter to him in May 1981: "You are a great artist!''
     At La Trappe Roseman made a series of wonderful drawings of the monks in the refectory while they took their meals, as with Frère Samuel in the Refectory, 1997, (fig. 5). With calligraphic strokes of black chalk, Roseman has captured both the attentive regard of the monk and the movement of a routine gesture as he leans forward, lifts his right arm, and pours from a pitcher into his bowl.
     At La Valsainte, Roseman was invited by the Prior to draw the hermit monks when they gather in choir for Vespers in the late afternoons and for Vigils, the ancient time for prayer, singing the Psalms and keeping watch in the night. The drawing of Brother Louis entitled A Carthusian Monk at Vigils, reproduced below, (fig. 7), is conserved in the Musée Ingres, whose outstanding collection grew from the bequest of the French master Jean-Auguste-Dominque Ingres (1780-1867) to his hometown of Montauban.
     In the drawing A Carthusian Monk at Vigils, Roseman's subtle gradation of the single bistre chalk in rendering the hermit's face and beard complemented with broad strokes that define shadows from the fall of light on the Carthusian monk's hood, down his shoulder and arm, and under the sleeve of his habit. With an economy of line, Roseman has created a beautiful and deeply felt drawing of the hermit monk at prayer in the night.
Over the course of more than forty years since Stanley Roseman began his work on the monastic life, monks and nuns have corresponded with the artist and his colleague Ronald Davis.
    The extensive correspondence recounts events in monastic communities, provides information on specific monasteries and monastic regulations and observances, offers commentaries on monasticism and spirituality, speaks of an individual's studies and work assignments, and relates personal experiences and reflections in following a life centered on contemplation and prayer. In letters and cards, monks and nuns expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for Roseman's work.
Stanley Roseman and Frère Elie, 1978, Abbey of La Trappe, France. © Photo by Ronald Davis
Drawing by Stanley Roseman, "Sister Immaculata, Portrait of a Trappist Nun in Prayer,” 1983, St. Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn, Ireland, chalks on paper, Teylers Museum, the Netherlands. © Stanley Roseman
Drawing by Stanley Roseman, "Abbot Finnian at Vespers,” 1983, Mellifont Abbey, Ireland, chalks on paper, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin. © Stanley Roseman
 © Stanley Roseman
 © Stanley Roseman
 © Photo by Ronald Davis
- Abbot Finnian Power, OCSO
  Mellifont Abbey
     The Director of the museum, Eric Ebbinge, writes to Davis that Roseman's work "would enrich the existing collection of drawings in the most significant way," and adds: "Moreover, we felt that the 'Rembrandtesque' (if one may call them so) qualities of the portrait of Sister Immaculata in particular would take on an added dimension in the context of the Dutch drawings in the Teyler Collection.''
    "If I have done anything to further your project, I am only too delighted. I hope the work goes from strength to strength. In the meantime, All the best & with much affection."
     Roseman painted the marvelous oil on canvas portrait of Father Benedict seated on the balcony of the monks' dormitory on the second floor of the Abbey. Father Benedict, Portrait of a Trappist Monk, 1978, (fig. 6), depicts the eighty-four-year-old Scotsman wearing his gardener's hat, which shades his white-bearded face from the bright summer sun.
     The artist has composed the painting with geometric abstractions in the division of pictorial space and depiction of the shapes of the Trappist monk's black scapular over a white tunic and his broad-brimmed hat. Vigorous brushstrokes well express Father Benedict's lively personality.
     Roseman finely renders the elderly monk's face, his ruddy complexion from hours of work in the orchard and garden, his eyes glancing out from behind thick-lensed eyeglasses, and his mouth about to speak a few friendly words to the viewer.
Painting by Stanley Roseman, "Father Benedict, Portrait of a Trappist Monk," 1978, Mount St. Bernard Abbey, England, oil on canvas, Private collection, Switzerland. © Stanley Roseman
 © Stanley Roseman
    "You have your vocation and are living it to the full, which so few succeed in doing - God has really blessed you with a great gift and the way you are using it must please Him very much.''
Drawing by Stanley Roseman, "Frère Elie at Vespers,” 1982, Abbey of La Trappe, France, chalks on paper, Collection of the artist. © Stanley Roseman.
Drawing by Stanley Roseman, "Abbot Finnian at his Desk,” 1983, Mellifont Abbey, Ireland, chalks on paper, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin. © Stanley Roseman
 © Stanley Roseman
 © Stanley Roseman
7. A Carthusian Monk at Vigils
1982, Chartreuse de la Valsainte,
Switzerland
Chalks on paper, 50 x 35 cm
Musée Ingres, Montauban
- Brother Louis, Chartreuse de la Valsainte
    In the Cistercian Order's ninth centenary year, Roseman and Davis returned to the Trappist Abbey of San Pedro de Cardeña, in Castile, where the artist had drawn the monks nineteen years before.
    Abbot Marcos García writes in his letter of invitation:
     Roseman's work at San Pedro de Cardeña in 1998 spans a six-week period from mid-November through late December for the artist and his colleague were invited to spend Christmas at the Abbey and for Roseman to draw the monks at Midnight Mass and at the Divine Office on Christmas day.
900th Anniversary of the Founding of the Cistercian Order, 1098 - 1998
11. Trappist Monks in Choir
Abbey of San Pedro de Cardeña,
Spain, 1998
Chalks on paper,  50 x 35 cm
Collection San Pedro de Cardeña
The eleventh-century Romanesque cloister of the Abbey of San Pedro de Cardeña, Castile. © Photo by Ronald Davis
9. The eleventh-century Romanesque cloister of the Abbey of San Pedro de Cardeña, Castile.
     1998 marked the 900th anniversary of the founding of the Cistercian Order. Cistercian monasticism today comprises two branches: the Order of Cistercians of the Common Observance and the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, or Trappist Order.
   "Dear Mr. Stanley: I have received your letter of October 19. You can come on the dates that you specified in your letter, during the month of November. I am happy to welcome you and Ronald to the Monastery, and your return will bring back memories of the days you were here several years ago. Cordial greetings,"
- Abbot Marcos García, OCSO
  Abbey of San Pedro de Cardeña
     Responding to a letter from Roseman, Abbot Marcos writes to the artist in September 1999 to thank him for saying how much he and Davis enjoy the music cassettes and to reaffirm the Monastery's appreciation for the gift of the drawings.
    "And we are also very grateful for your generosity on having donated a selection of your drawings, which will be a great collection for our Monastery.
    "For my part, I am glad that you enjoy the cassettes of music we sing here at home. Listening to the music will be for you a remembrance of the days that you were with us.
    "I send you and Ronald my affectionate and cordial greetings."
- Abbot Marcos García
     The Chartreuse de la Valsainte, which dates from the thirteenth century, is a Carthusian monastery in the Swiss Alps. On Roseman and Davis' first sojourn at La Valsainte in winter 1982, the superior Prior Augustin introduced the artist to Brother Louis, revered by the community as a holy man, and gave Roseman permission to draw him in his cell. The friendship that developed between the hermit monk and the artist and his colleague was maintained in correspondence, as with the heartfelt Christmas card of 1988 from Brother Louis:
     Sister Paula, Sub-Prioress at St. Mary's Abbey, Glencairn, and a graduate of Dublin Art College, corresponded with Roseman from after their meeting at the monastery in 1978. Glencairn, a Trappist abbey in County Waterford, was the first convent in which Roseman drew in the early months of his work. Abbess Mary Imelda had written in her cordial invitation: "You will be very welcome.'' The Abbess and Sister Paula graciously received Roseman and Davis at Glencairn in August 1978 and again on their return to Ireland in winter of 1983.
     Sister Paula, who as a Trappist nun pursued her interests in art by painting beautiful icons, was of continual encouragement to Roseman in his work. In letter of May 1982, Sister Paula writes:
    "May God be with you on your journeys. Shalom."
10. From left to right: Stanley Roseman, Brother David,
Padre Jesús, and Abbot Marcos,
Abbey of San Pedro de Cardeña, Burgos, 1998.
The monks are making a selection of the artist's work
 for a gift offered by Roseman and Davis to the abbey.
     Abbot Marcos, a kindly man in his late fifties, was very welcoming and a gracious host to Roseman and Davis. The Abbot and Community's enthusiasm for the artist's work made for a memorable sojourn and enriching experience. San Pedro de Cardeña provided Roseman with inspiration for a series of excellent drawings at the Spanish Trappist Abbey in the ninth centenary year of the founding of the Cistercian Order.
     The gift of Roseman's drawings to the monastery includes a fine portrait of Abbot Marcos. From the artist's work at the Abbey is an equally impressive portrait of an elderly member of the Community, Padre Valeriano. The portrait was acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. (The portrait and other drawings are presented on "Monastic Journey Continued," Page 8 - "Monasteries in Old Castile.")
     Trappist Monks in Choir, (fig. 11), was also selected by the Abbot and monks for the Monastery. In the artist's striking composition with complementary passages of black and white chalks, the younger monk stands facing the altar; the older monk, seen in profile, is seated, each absorbed in personal prayer and meditation.
     Abbot Marcos thoughtfully gave Roseman and Davis Christmas gifts of three recordings of the monks singing beautiful chants for Lauds, Vespers, and Compline.
 © Photo by Ronald Davis
Drawing by Stanley Roseman, “Trappists Monks in Choir,” 1998, Abbey of San Pedro de Cardeña, Spain, chalks on paper, collection San Pedro de Cardeña. © Stanley Roseman
 © Stanley Roseman
Drawing by Stanley Roseman, "Frère Samuel in the Refectory,” 1997, Abbey of La Trappe, France, black chalk on paper, Private collection, France. © Stanley Roseman.
 © Stanley Roseman
 - Sister Paula Kiersey, OCSO
    St. Mary's Abbey
Drawing by Stanley Roseman, "A Carthusian Monk at Vigils,” 1982, Chartreuse de la Valsainte, Switzerland, bistre chalk on paper, Musée Ingres, Montauban. © Stanley Roseman.
From left to right: Stanley Roseman, Brother David, Padre Jesús, and Abbot Marcos, Abbey of San Pedro de Cardeña, Burgos, 1998. The monks are making a selection of the artist's work as a gift from Roseman and Davis to the monastery.© Photo by Ronald Davis