by 1900, philip's father, dr. philip barbour, was practicing as a physician in louisville and the family was sufficiently well off to summer in upstate new york and holiday in europe. the parents also appear to have had substantial artistic connections. for example, philip's mother, jessie, often recounted a visit to paris in the late 1890s where she met the german lyric poet, rainer maria rilke at the studio of auguste rodin. the louisville courier-journal of 7 february 1900 mentions (p. 6) that lorado taft, a chicago sculptor who was due to visit louisville to give an address to the women's club would be staying with dr. and mrs barbour while he is in town. mrs. barbour's name is also frequently mentioned at this time in connection with activities of the louisville arts club.