Description
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AMERICIAN FOLK ART PORTRAITS
Artist Anonymous – Possibly Joseph Whiting Stock ( 1815- 1855 )
Probably New York
Circa 1830 – 1840
Itinerant portrait painters provided middle class families with affordable likenesses to document their economic and social status, as well as, to perpetuate their memory. The oil on canvas portrait of a woman and portrait of a man are very charming and pleasing (most likely husband and wife). Unfortunately, to date the identity of the artist and these portraits is unidentified, but bears the unmistakable characteristics of a significant itinerant portrait painter. This spectacular pair of large Folk portraits are bold and housed with their original gilt frames.
As with many Folk Itinerant Portrait Painter’s the subjects seem to be rather rigid and lacks depth. Yet, this folk artist has captured a sense of spirit in these sitters with their forthright gaze. The faces of the sitters are skillfully individualized, reproducing not only physical features, but conveying features of the subjects’ character. These portraits exhibited a greater degree of realism while retaining many naïve elements. A factor that immediately attract one’s attention is they are painted with remarkable clarity and detail, modeled to convey natural pleasant expressions. The composition is simple and uncomplicated. The two dimensional portraits are centered, seated in a stately fashion in accurately depicted details of clothing and personal features with a background area painted in a dark neutral color. There is a highlighting behind the sitters heads in order to emphasize them. Both sitters unity is established with their posing slightly turned towards one another, as well as, incorporating the same end of the sofa in each image. Each seated sitters proportion has a diminutive body and long tapering hands which are in a distorted scale to the relationship of the classical pillar and scroll sofa. The Gentleman’s head is inclined slightly against his upraised right hand as his arm is resting on sofa, suggesting a pensive mood. The woman’s left hand rests on an open book, indicate an awareness of academic conventions.
The convincing setting, well-articulated figures, and competent brushwork indicate that this Folk Painter was a professional portraitist of skill and experience. These attractive portraits would command attention from everyone in a room, therefore enhancing anyone’s Americana / Folk Art collection.
In a remarkable state of preservation with original frames. Found in untouched condition.
Canvas stamp on verso, “Hollis and Wheeler, Boston, Mass.”
36” x 29”, 43” x 36” with frame.
Inventory: A-OC 3580
$ 14,500.00
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