Double Silhouette of Elizabeth Roberts Canby and James Canby
Dateca. 1807
Artist
Augustus Day (active 1800-1836)
MediumCut paper framed with reverse painted glass mat
DimensionsFramed: 6 1/4 × 9 1/4in.
Credit LineGift of Beatrix T. Rumford
Object number2020.306.1
DescriptionTwo silhouettes, a man and a woman, framed together with an eglomise mat.Label TextThis charming pair of silhouettes record the profiles of Elizabeth Roberts Canby and her husband, James Canby Sr. The Canby family owned and operated a flour mill in Brandywine, Delaware which James was a part of; but he additionally worked as a banker and entrepreneur in Wilmington.
The artist, Augustus Day was a carver, gilder, portraitist and silhouettist. Most of his work seems to have been done in Philadelphia where he advertised as carver and gilder, looking glass maker, and painter. This example of one of his painted silhouettes features his signature,"Day Fecit", below each silhouette.
ProvenanceBefore 2020, descended in the Canby/Rumford family of Wilmington, DE to Beatrix T. Rumford [1939-2021] (Lexington, VA); 2020, given to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)
Late 18th, early 19th century
