I am an author based in New York and Morris County, New Jersey. My father was the painter and sculptor David Hanna. His painting “Night Watch” depicts his friend, the painter and ex-seaman, Alex Breede.
I am an author based in New York and Morris County, New Jersey. My father was the painter and sculptor David Hanna. His painting “Night Watch” depicts his friend, the painter and ex-seaman, Alex Breede.
Night Watch 
My wife and I were at his showing at the West Virginia University in the 1970a and bought two of his prints, Low Tide at Damariscotta and a second one of three farm building, fence and (probably) water fowl in the upper center of the work. It is framed and his signature not visible. But, we are going to remove the paper backing to get to the print. He signed a thank you to my wife Penny on Damariscotta and we don’t know what he wrote on the other yet.
It is interesting to us that my parents lived two doors from the Greensburg museum where he also had a showing though I don’t know when we were there around that time.
His works have been on the walls of homes ever since.
Our best to you,
Penny and Wallace Hodge
Kingsland, GA
My father and David were introduced to each other by a mutual friend, Peter Chillingworth, in the early 70’s. I have fond memories of David sitting at our country kitchen table during a family meal while he was in Morgantown. I am now the owner of NIGHT WATCH and it takes up a prominent wall in my living room. I also enjoy a personalized, signed print of LOW TIDE AT DAMARISCOTTA.
How wonderful to see Alex Breede. When researching a painting done by Breede, a scene from the Central Park Boat Pond, I came across your website. Mr. Breede befriended by grandfather, a similarly aged Belgian merchant seaman who joined the US Navy mere moments after his honorable discharge in NY Harbor. They met at the Boat Pond where my grandfather sailed ships he had handcrafted meticulously. When he was about to move to Throggs Neck in the Bronx (1930), Alex Breede created a painting of one of my grandfather’s boat sailing on the pond as a parting gift. Upon learning some of his story, I can see how similarities and a love of marine vessels would have helped to forge a friendship. Judi DeSouter
Judi
For my recent birthday, my wife surprised me with an original Alex Breede painting and it depicts a rowboat on a pond. I am currently having it reframed. What a great story that is unfolding!
Ms. DeSouter,
That’s a great story! Thanks for sharing it with me. I knew him when I was very young.
I recommend you reach out to
my sister, Jamie. Her email is:
jamie@davidhanna.org
Regards,
David Montgomery Hanna
I have. Jamie and I correspond from time to time.