"Man in Sprigged Waistcoat"

Dateca. 1850

MediumWatercolor on wove paper

Dimensions3 1/8" x 2 5/16" (7.9 cm x 5.9 cm) unframed; Framed: 3 3/4" x 3 5/16"

Credit LineGift of Mrs. George Schlobach

Object number1961.300.1

DescriptionHalf-length profile portrait of man facing left. He wears a brown coat with black collar above the lapels; a pale-yellow vest with small red and green floral repeat and a black tie around the neck with a white upturned collar showing above. He has short closely groomed black hair with long sideburns. The details of the hair and the profile and features of the face are delicately drawn. A pale blue wash is used at the base of the figure to provide a background and to describe the edge of an oval border which is used only at the bottom and which is concealed by the metal matte. The embossed frame shows in its design a three-masted war vessel, cannon with cannon balls, drum, flags, liberty cap and pole, bayonetted muskets.
Label TextThis pair of portraits is housed in what is presumed to be its original composition case with embossed metal matting. The use of an early photographer's standard framing materials testifies to the interchange between photographers and painters, particularly miniature painters, at an interesting point of transition in the process of image-making.
MarkingsThe brass foil mat in the frame bears the embossed inscription "CONSTITUTION AND UNION/ JULY 4/1776' incorporated into its design; embossed at the top of the same mat; beneath a separate foil surround, is the inscription "SCOVILL MGF CO SUPERIOR." Embossed at the bottom of the same mat, again beneath the separate foil surround, is the inscription 'WATERBURY CONN. NO 824." Behind the foil- encased support, a loose piece of paper is laid in the back of the case on which appears the printed inscription 'GENUINE/UNION CASE/ IMPROVED/Fine Gilt and Burnished/Hinge./S. PECK & CO.,/MANUFACTURERS." There are no inscriptions or marks on the half of the case that houses the companion portrait. No watermarks found.
ProvenanceGift of Mrs. George Schlobach, 15 Linden Rd. Poughkeepsie, New York.