Martha & Maxim
Karolik
Martha Codman Karolik
b. Boston, MA, (date unknown)
d.
Newport, RI, April 21, 1948
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Maxim Karolik
b. Akerman, Russia, 1893
d.
New York City, NY, December 20, 1963
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Martha originally accompanied parents to Newport staying the summer seasons
at the Atlantic House and Ocean House. Property owned by John G.
Weaver is bought in 1897.
Her membership included Art Association of Newport, Garden Club, Improvement
Association, Newport Historical Society and Redwood Library.
The last 20 years of her life were in residence in Newport, with the exception
of a few winters spent at her Washington, DC home. Funeral held in
the Newport home where she died. Rev. William Bradner, rector of
Trinity Church officiated at the funeral service.
Her home "Berkeley Villa" c. 1910 (designed by cousin Ogden Codman, Jr.)
later known as the Maxim Karolik House, still stands at southeast corner
of Bellevue Avenue and East Bowery Street.
Martha was the great great granddaughter of merchant Elias Haskett Derby
of Salem, MA, considered America’s first millionaire.
Maxim Karolik studied singing in St. Petersburg before Russian revolution,
went to dramatic school in Odessa, traveled and sang through Europe.
He migrated to the United States after the First World War in 1922.
He possessed a colorful personality and worked in the Chicago Opera Company
chorus and gave recitals. Had a brief career as a concert tenor.
Codman met Karolik after one of his performances. Eventually he gave
recitals at her Washington home. During the summer of 1927 Karolik
was invited to sing at her Bellevue Avenue mansion. As a guest there
that summer, repeated rumors of an impending engagement between the two
were labeled by Karolik as "preposterous" and "ridiculous." He strongly
denied a report that they were to be wed.
On February 2, 1928, they were married in France. The relationship
and marriage caused quite a stir in society circles as Codman was an almost
70 year old spinster and Karolik was thirty-five years of age at the time.
Generally accepted in Newport society, some Bostonians felt otherwise,
and labeled him a Russian adventurer. Some dubbed him the "musical
bridegroom." (Lane p. 103)
Both had a love and appreciation of American art and craftsmanship.
After returning stateside, the Karolik’s directed their attention to the
arts. Martha was a long time friend of the Boston Museum of Fine
Arts.
In 1939 they presented the Museum with an 18th century collection of American
paintings, furniture, silver and other examples of art. The collection
at this time was valued at $400,000. In 1958, the museum honored
Mr. Karolik for his gifts by appointing him honorary curator of American
art at the Museum.
The three distinct collections of the Karolik’s are: The M. &
M. Karolik Collection of 18th Century American Arts, the M. & M. Karolik
Collection of American Paintings 1815-1865 (considered one of the most
important collection of American pictures in public or private hand of
that period), and the M. & M. Karolik Collection of American Water
Colors and Drawings 1800-1875.
Bibliography
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