The Cyclorama, The Whistler, A Russian artist, and more

A Mather In-Law’s Diary from the 1880s: Part Four

What did the Floy family do for entertainment?  The diary gives us a glimpse into the arts and diversions in New York and its environs in the very late nineteenth century.

The must-see entertainment of the 1880s, cycloramas were the blockbuster movies of their time. Often depicting epic battles, the enormous, paintings-in-the-round transported viewers into the middle of the fray; surrounding them with a 360-degree, hand-painted canvas longer than a football field and higher than a four-story building.

The Cyclorama.  “…told daughter Jeanie to come to City after lunch.  We went to Cyclorama ‘Battle of Gettysburgh’ cor. 4 Ave & 19^th St.  First daughter had ever seen, and she was greatly interested.”  [January 12, 1889]

The Whistler.  “…Jeanie, Grace and I to concert, Principal attraction was Mrs. Shaw, the whistler…The whole entertainment was only medium but for the benefit of the House for Aged Women, so we were content.  [January 18, 1889.]

Alice J. Shaw (1853 – 1918) was an American musical performer, who was billed as "The Whistling Prima Donna" and, in French, "La Belle Siffleuse".

The Necromancer.  “This evening Jeanie and I went to the Opera House and saw Herrmann, necromancer…The Herrmann…performance was first class in every respect and we enjoyed it greatly.  House full…” [March 23, 1889]

Alexander Herrmann (1844 –1896), better known as Herrmann the Great, was a 19th-century French magician. His wife, Adelaide Herrmann, was famously known as the "Queen of Magic."

The Artist.  “…took him to see the paintings of the Russian artist Vassili Verestchagin, at American Art Galleries in 23^rd St.  The variety of subjects and their successful treatment by one and the same artist were, to me remarkable.  Verestchagin is called a ‘Realist’…”  [December 3, 1888]

Vassili Verestchagin, 1873