Portrait of George Washington

1800-1850

or possibly later

Measurements

14 in x 9-1/2 in x 7/8 in

Materials

Oil on white pine

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1959.3810

Inscription

Earlier cataloguers have recorded initials “J.K.” painted in reddish brown below and to the left of the brass hanging ring.  The initials are not clear.

Condition Notes

See "Comments" below.

Provenance

Mrs. Lawrence J. Ullman (dealer), Heritage House, Tarrytown, New York; ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp.

Comments

This engaging, but rather crudely executed painting of George Washington likely celebrated him after his death in 1799.  The painting was done on an old board.  The back, top, and left edges of the board are deeply oxidized and show evidence of age and previous use.  The right and bottom edges, however, show significantly less age and discoloration, suggesting they were cut to shape much later.  The top an bottom borders do not match, but no evidence exists of any type of frame or housing that might have required this treatment.  The brass hanging ring at the center of the top is an old fitting that has been recently applied, perhaps about the time the painting was advertised for sale in 1942.

 

Bibliography

Advertised in Antiques Magazine 41, no. 5 (May 1942), p. 289.