August Americana
Description:
James Brown (Massachusetts, act. 1806-1808)
Pair of Portraits of General William Towner and His Wife Lurana Chadwick Towner, of Williamstown, Massachusetts
General Towner signed and dated "J. Brown Pinxt/ Oct 10th 180-" on the reverse, Laura Towner signed and dated "Ja. Brown Pinx [month obscured] 25, 1807" along the top edge of the reverse.
Oil on canvas, the General in full military dress seated in a sack-back Windsor chair, Laura in a blue-gray Empire-waisted dress seated in a Windsor side chair holding a book, a column behind her, 33 x 28 in., in modern frames.
Condition: Repairs and inpainting.
Provenance: Descended through the Towner family, and then to the current owners from their aunt Betty Schwinn, whose mother Ruth Freed married John F. Towner late in life. A copy of the Genealogy of the Towner Family as well as other documents accompany the lot; they give context to the Towner family in general, as well as to the link between Betty Schwinn and the family specifically.
Note: The artist, who produced at least seven signed works, was largely unknown until an article by Elizabeth V. Warren called "The Mystery of J. Brown" was published in the Fall 1998 issue of Folk Art magazine, pp. 54-63. There is speculation that Ammi Phillips studied under Brown in the early 19th century.
Estimate $20,000-30,000
multiple taped repairs to the back of each portrait, with associated retouch; additional paint loss to the backgrounds of each portrait. Treatment proposals obtained by the owners (but not acted on) are available upon request.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Keywords
Betty Schwinn, William Towner, James Brown, Laura Towner, Ruth Freed, Chadwick Towner, Elizabeth V. Warren, John F. Towner, Windsor, WilliamstownStephen L. Fletcher
Partner/Executive Vice President and Chief Auctioneer
Director of American Furniture & Decorative Arts
508-970-3000
Christopher D. Fox
Vice President
Director, Historic Arms & Militaria
Associate Deputy Director, American Furniture & Decorative Arts
508-970-3200
Paul O’Hara
Business Administrator, American Furniture & Decorative Arts
508-970-3224
American Furniture & Decorative Arts
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