"Little Girl in a Red Dress Holding Toys" attributed to Deacon Robert Peckham (American 1785-1877) sold for $182,000.00 in Skinner's February 24, 2002 auction of American Furniture & Decorative Arts.
This painting, attributed to Deacon Robert Peckham (American 1785-1877) sold for $182,000.00 in Skinner's February 24, 2002 auction of American Furniture & Decorative Arts.
Born in Petersham, Massachusetts, the deacon was an artist and abolitionist active in Bolton, Mass. and later Westminster, where his home, a stop on the underground railroad, still stands. Peckham was appointed Deacon of the Westminster First Congregation in 1828. Prior to that, he seems to have been active as a house and ornamental painter. After 1828, he concentrated on portraiture, which, in his use of outlining and decorative patterning, shows the strong influence of his early training in trade. His work is also characterized by precise attention to details of dress, artifacts, and setting. Among his portraits were many of children. Peckham may have studied with Ethan Allen Greenwood (1779-1856), of Hubbardston, Massachusetts.
