[Miss Carey Thomas, a close friend of Garrett since college] first approached Sargent about the Garrett commission in 1902 but Sargent declined, citing too many other projects. By 1904, however, he relented and both Garrett and Thomas went to London for the sitting. Sargent's first efforts were not to their liking, so they brought him props - a shawl, gloves and flowers - to enliven Mary's image. They also monitored his work on a group portrait of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine founders [called "The Four Doctors"], commissioned by Garrett. Sargent later wrote that their constant attention made him feel "like a rabbit in the presence of a boa constrictor." 

 
The Four Doctors 
1906 
   
From: Norman Kane
<n  k ane@kanebooks.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2003 

What can you tell me about Mary E. Garrett?   Specifically, was she a friend of Sarah Orne Jewett? 

Thank you.  Norman Kane
 

Notes: 

• See Bryn Mawr College 
• See the year in review 1904