Wlliam Harrison Scarborough Portrait Miniature c1845
Directory: Fine Art: Paintings: Miniatures: Pre 1837 VR: Item # 1386658
Please refer to our stock # a1669 when inquiring.
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A finely rendered miniature portrait of a boy, done in watercolor on natural wafer. The sitter is wearing a black jacket, vest, and bowtie, with a white shirt with a gold stud.
The condition of the painting is excellent, with no issues. The cast foliate case is also in fine condition, engraved on the reverse with the initials "T.W." and a cutting of hair in the glazed aperture.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: William Harrison Scarborough (1812-1871) was born in Tennessee to parents whose family origins were in Scarborough, England. In 1838 he began to study medicine in Cincinnati, but quickly turned his interests to art, and worked with both Horace Harding and Henry Inman. Furthering his training in Nashville, he also worked and studied in Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia. After marrying in 1833 and fathering a son, he moved to Charleston S.C. in 1836 following the death of his wife. There he had a steady stream of clientele and in 1838 married one of the 7 daughters of a client. He prospered until 1843. Consequently he moved his family to Columbia, S.C. and remained there until his death. He shortly began receiving important commissions, including John C. Calhoun.
Although working primarily in full-size portraits he also did miniatures, though few seem to have survived. His works are in the Metropolitan, the Gibbs, the Morris, and other important museums.
