In early 2024, the Cape Cod Museum of Art in Dennis, Massachusetts hosted the exhibition Familial, which featured works from the museum’s permanent collection that were created by families with connections to Cape Cod. The exhibition explored the legacy of artmaking traditions as passed down through local families over time, representing both the rich artistic history of the Cape and the myriad ways families share experiences with one another. Grouped by family, the artworks on display highlighted stylistic influences, interconnected subject matter, and sometimes the drastic shifts of each family member’s work, which in turn offers a unique perspective on Cape Cod’s history as viewed through the eyes of its residents.
Among the works included in Familial are three paintings created by members of the Whorf family. The Whorfs held strong ties to Cape Cod; in 1650, John Whorf’s ancestors established their home on the Cape, and John himself later became a painter recognized for his depictions of the picturesque Cape Cod coastlines (Object Label). Mr. Whorf’s daughters, Carol Whorf Wescott and Nancy Whorf, carried on their father’s artistic traditions, each creating striking renditions of scenic Cape Cod areas. While the sisters take different approaches to their oil paintings, both capture scenes that feel quintessentially Cape Codian, with dreamy skyscapes reflected over glistening waterscapes, marshy grasslands adorned with classic coastal buildings and landscapes, and a sense of natural calm inviting the audience to sit for awhile and enjoy the views.
Carol Whorf Wescott’s Cummaquid Gold takes a softer approach to painting Cape Cod’s scenery than her sister’s more dramatic piece included in the exhibition; painted between 1989 and 1990, Ms. Whorf Wescott uses a vibrant but still pastel color scheme and an impressionistic brush stroke to capture what could either be a sunrise or sunset, with light pink hues scattered across the sky (Fig. 1). Her work feels like a slice of Cape Cod life, and it is easy for the viewer to imagine themselves seated on a bench, listening for seagulls amidst the soft rustle of the breeze drifting across the golden salty marsh. Including this piece in the Familial exhibition, and displaying it alongside her sister and father’s works reminds the local Cape Cod community of the beauty inherent in their homeland while connecting local artists in the area to the immutable artistic traditions of the area.
Appreciation of nature is a strong theme I have personally identified in my exploration of Cape Cod’s art scene as well as among long-term Cape Cod dwellers, such as my aunt who moved to Cape Cod when she was in her late teens to study art locally and never returned to the greater Boston area. Understanding familial artistic histories through the lens of Cape Cod subject matter enriches my personal connections to the area, and likely inspires local residents to engage with their own family histories and further admire the beautiful environment they are lucky to enjoy on a daily basis.
Appendix
Fig. 1. Carol Whorf Wescott. Cummaquid Gold. 1989-1990. Oil on canvas. In exhibition Familial at Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, MA. Seen on 6 Mar 2024. Photo taken by Tanya Yorks.
Works Cited
Object label for Whorf Family. In exhibition Familial at Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, MA. Seen on 6 Mar 2024.
Originally written October 2024.
Art with an Opinion 