Imagine looking at a social media post with a portrait painted decades ago, and the comment: “This is Muffet Shayon. Does anyone know her?” …
… and realizing she’s your sister.
And that for decades, your family had no idea where the painting was.
The other day Diana Shayon was stunned to see that image, and question, on Facebook’s “Westport Front Porch” page.
Local artist Peter Barlow had painted Diana when she was a 5-year-old Westport child, as well as her 3-year-old sister Muffet.
The Shayons had Diana’s portrait. But they never knew what happened to Muffet’s.
Muffet’s portrait.
It ended up in an attic in the Pawcatuck home of Peter Barlow. The longtime Westport artist and photographer moved to the eastern Connecticut town a couple of decades ago. He died in August, at 95.
But Peter did not paint Muffet’s portrait.
It was the work of his mother, Dorothy Hope Smith. A portraitist specializing in children, she had a studio on Sylvan Road North.
The Barlows’ studio on Sylvan Road North.
Her most famous work was the illustration of the Gerber Baby. (Her model was a little Westport girl. Click here for Peter’s recounting of that tale, 10 years ago.)
Peter’s father, Perry Barlow, was an artist too: a prolific cover illustrator and cartoonist for The New Yorker.
Peter’s daughter, Dorrie Barlow Thomas, found Muffet’s painting while cleaning out her father’s home. Figuring it was a long shot, she posted a photo of the painting, and her query, on Facebook.
Peter Barlow
A friend saw it, and contacted Diana. The friend was right: It was Diana’s sister.
Diana went online. Eventually, she discovered Peter Barlow — and his grandmother, and daughter — through a story.
An “06880” story.
Diana contacted Dorrie. A few days later, they headed to her Stonington home, to pick up the painting.
Sadly, Muffet will never see it. She died 3 years ago.
But Diana is giving it to her niece — Muffet’s daughter.
Decades later, Muffet’s portrait has found a home.
Dorothy Hope Smith’s “Gerber baby” sketch.
(“06880” covers Westport’s arts scene, history, and intriguing people. Sometimes — like today — they all intersect. If you enjoy stories like these, please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
