Rhinebeck’s Olin Dows (1904-1981)
Let’s explore two collections featuring Olin Dows: The Southlands Foundation (TSF) and Deborah Dows. Although some of the paintings shared below were damaged by fire, they remain precious archives along with photographs and letters.
Photographs of Olin Dows’ art in studio at Glenburn; Deborah Dows Collection; 1971; 2016-01.10.13.
Watercolor painting of plowed fields with village, mountains, and river visible in distance. Current dimensions are 14 in wide x 14 in long. Reverse side is also a watercolor painting, 2013-095.23.011. Previously recorded as TSF.2007.036.b – “Farm and mountains, watercolor 14.25W X 21L.”
Artist Olin Dows; TSF Collection; Watercolor of Farm and Village; 1952; 2013-095.23.012
Painting of pond in front of house with a small island in the middle; reflection of house and trees can be seen in the water. Two trees are pictured in front of the pond. Reverse side is also a painting, 2013-095.24.004. Current dimensions are 12 in wide x 13 in long. Previously recorded as TSF.2007.022.a – “House with Water 14.25W X 21.5L.”
Unsigned/Olin Dows; TSF Collection; Pond with house in background; 1952; 2013-095.24.003
Pencil sketch of donkeys and a little boy on a piece of paper attached to larger scrapbook paper. “Yucatan 1931” is stamped in the bottom right corner. Current dimensions are 6.75 in wide x 11.25 in long. Previously recorded as TSF.2007.041 – “Boy and donkey, pencil, stamped “Yucatan 1931″ 6.75W X 11L.”
Unsigned/Olin Dows; TSF Collection; Sketch of Donkey and Little Boy; 1931; 2013-095.24.017
Painting of tree projecting from precipice framing a distant body of water. Blooming trees on hillside can be seen in background. Current dimensions are 19.25 in wide by 14.5 in long. Reverse side is also a watercolor painting, 2013-095.23.006. Previously recorded in TSF.2007.016.a – “Tree limb, Hudson River 15.5W X 21L.
Olin Dows; TSF Collection; 1953; 2013-095.23.005
Technical Sergeant Olin Dows at the Surrender of 56 German prisoners WWII; Deborah Dows Collection; photographer Signal Corps France 1944; 2016-01.06.03
Olin Dows; Deborah Dows Collection; photograph in sterling silver frame; undated; photographer unknown; 2016-01.03.02
Flashback to “From the Archives October 2024”: Check out some of Olin Dows’ paintings in “Fences: Keeping ‘em in or Keeping ‘em Out!”
See you in December!
From the Archives,
Researcher Bonnie Wood
November 2025
