Portrait of a Young Man

Date1833-1836

Attributed to Ruth Whittier Shute (1803-1882)

Attributed to Dr. Samuel Addison Shute (1803 - 1836)

OriginAmerica, New England or New York (possibly)

MediumPastel, watercolor, and pencil on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary support: 27 3/8" x 20 3/4" and Framed: 33" x 26 3/8" x 3 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1958.200.3

DescriptionA half-length portrait of a standing man wearing a black coat, white shirt, white neck cloth, and dotted waistcoat. A stickpin appears at the front of his shirt. He has brown hair and brown eyes. His proper right hand is raised and, with it, he grasps his lapel; the other hand hangs down out of the picture. The background consists of vertical streaks of blue.
The 2 3/4-inch cove-molded, mahogany-veneered frame with relief-carved corner blocks is original.
Label TextThis example combines a pastel image with a watercolor background. Watercolor backgrounds streaked with long brushstrokes in the manner seen here have long been associated with the Shutes, but 1958.200.3 is the only one of nine large pastel likenesses ascribed to either or both artists that incorporates this distinctive feature. This portrait is also one of only two known Shute portraits in any medium in which the streaking is vertical rather than horizontal or diagonal. The retention of watercolor for the background rendering is supportive of a Shute attribution, and the penciled definition of facial features closely resembles that seen in a broad range of the Shutes' work.
MarkingsA watermark in the primary support reads "J WHATMAN/TURKEY MILL/1831" for the Maidstone, Kent, England firm operated by the Hollingworth brothers between 1806 and 1859.
ProvenanceJ. Stuart Halladay and Herrel George Thomas, Sheiffield, Mass. Halladay died in 1951, leaving his interest in their jointly-owned collection to his partner, Thomas. Thomas died in 1957, leaving his estate to his sister, Mrs. Albert N. Petterson, who was AARFAC's vendor.