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Self-Portrait, Yaddo
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In early September of 1950, Delaney began a two-month fellowship at the
Yaddo Art Colony in Saratoga Springs, New York. Founded in 1900 by Spencer and Katrina Trask,
Yaddo was intended to support and nurture the talents of writers, painters, composers, and
other creative artists. Guests were provided with living quarters and daily meals. A particularly
wonderful benefit was the camaraderie that developed among the various guests. Delaney formed
ong-term friendships with the writers Elizabeth Bishop, May Swenson, and Jane Mayhall on this,
his first of two visits to Yaddo.Of all Delaney's self-portraits, this one executed at
Yaddo is the only one in which Delaney portrays himself in an unmistakable state of
contentment. His two visits to the art colony (the second occurring in November 1951)
were the only times in the artist's impoverished life that he did not have to worry
about keeping a roof over his head. This security gave him the time to pay full
attention to his art, which was vital to the advancement of his style between 1950
and late 1953.
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