Zakhotor, Feodor (Russian?)
Mrs. Artair Tullis, 1928
watercolor on paperboard
Gift of Mrs. Artair Ian Tullis (Nellie Joan Mari Olesen, class of 1913)
Although not much can be found on the artist Feodor Zakhotor, the Smith alumna who gifted this painting, Mrs. Nellie Olsen Tulli, has a fascinating story.
Class of 1913, Mrs. Nellie Olsen Tulli had a highly international life. She was born in China of Danish parents and received education in Switzerland and America. After going through the documents in the Smith College Archives, I discovered that Mrs. Nellie Olsen Tulli participated in a wide range of activities during her time at Smith and demonstrated her strong leadership in her post-graduation life. At Smith, she was the President of Smith College Council, a member of the La Société Française (French Society), and a member of the Novel Club. She also played as a substitute basketball and hockey player for the sports team.
After graduating from Smith, Mrs. Nellie Olsen Tulli graduated from Boston School for Social Work in 1914 and served as President of its Graduating Class and was president of the Boston Smith College Club. The same year, she became the staff of the Social Service of the Mass. General Hospital.
In 1916, she went to the Springfield Visiting Nurse Assoc. and helped with its organization for Public Health Nursing. During that time, she served on the Board of Directors of the College Club and of the Smith College Alumnae Assoc. She also became the organizer of the Girls Patriotic League, the Dept. of Health and Recreation of the Mass. Council of Defense and for War Camp Community Service. Meanwhile, she was married in 1928. Her Scottish husband, Artair Ian Tullis, was an officer in the British Navy during the War.
In 1935 Mrs. Nellie Olsen Tullis and her husband want to Geneva to act as directors for the International Students Union. In 1937, Mrs. Nellie Olsen Tullis opened “International House” in Geneva, a home and headquarter for young foreign students with ability and leadership to find temporary refuge and peace. “We encourage students to meet in small groups as often as possible,” she said, “and while there is a wide difference of opinion, long and heated discussion over the tea cups end in a spirit of friendliness.” She was passionate not only about the well-being of those affected by the war, refugees, and immigrants but also people with international backgrounds.
Last but not least, Mrs. Nellie Olsen also contributed to Smith’s relationship with Ginling College ( Smith was the sister college of Ginling College from 1928 to 1951), a women’s college of Nanjing Normal University in Nanjing, China. She served as a member of the Smith Alumnae Committee for Ginling.
Now looking at the watercolor portrait, it doesn’t seem odd that it is a portrait of a Western woman in Eastern clothing wearing a green bracelet and ring seated in an Asian styled chair.
How come a Russian artist did a portrait for Mrs. Nellie Olsen?
Read more about the history between Ginling College and Smith College here, here, and here.