Alexander Hamilton Emmons Portrait Miniature of a Woman c1835
Directory: Fine Art: Paintings: Miniatures: Pre 1837 VR: Item # 1409089
Please refer to our stock # a1702 when inquiring.
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A nice naïve portrait of a woman, painted in watercolors on organic wafer. The sitter is simply presented in a black dress with lace edging at the bodice. An interesting twist is the fragment of a business card in the back of the case. It says "Painter ***wich City CT" (Norwich City). The artist attribution has been made based on a signed example provided by Brad Crisler, shown in photos 3 and 4, and is unmistakable based on technique and the location of Norwich City.
The condition of the painting is very fine, with no cracks, chips, bowing, etc. The flecks are due to dust. The case and glass is also in good shape, though the rear has a dent and the glass in the aperture is missing. Size is 2 1/4" by 1 7/8".
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Alexander Hamilton Emmons (1816 in Haddam CT - 1884 Norwich CT) lived most of his life in Norwich, Connecticut where he was viewed as the most important portrait painter, rendering mayors, doctors, industrialists during the time when Norwich was at the zenith of its manufacturing prowess. Emmons had been artistic in school, but originally found employment as a house painter. He began his true artistic career in Hartford but then went to Norwich both to paint the portraits of city notables and to occupy a new studio space overlooking the Norwich Harbor on the Thames River. He traveled briefly in Europe to study, but spent his life in Norwich. Emmons is known for portraits, but painted landscapes as well, following the Hudson River style and aesthetic. His true miniatures on organic material are quite rare.
