Attributed to Mr. Willson (New Hampshire, 19th Century) Family Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse and Th...

Description:

Attributed to Mr. Willson (New Hampshire, 19th Century)

Family Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Waterhouse and Their Two Children ofPembroke New Hampshire.
Unsigned, sitters identified in inscription on cardboard backing. Watercolor and gouache on paper, c. 1825, 26 x 21 1/2 in., in molded wood frames. Condition: Toning, tears, creases, repairs, edge losses.

Note: According to Paul S. D'Ambrosio and Charlotte M. Emans in Folk Art's Many Faces: Portraits in the New York State Historical Association, an elusive artist by the name of Mr. Willson did portraits with a New Hampshire provenance. The subjects "are depicted in bust-length, three quarter view, with their bodies turned to the right, against a neutral background. Facial features- the profile nose, upper eyelid and mouth are delineated with a single line of paint...ears are rendered as oval shapes with a heavily shadowed inner ear," as can be seen in these examples. Other examples of Willson's work can be found in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Currier Art Gallery, Manchester; New Hampshire, the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, Vermont; and in private collections.
Estimate $100,000-150,000


Mr. W.- His form has been cut out and laid down onto paper some time ago, possibly at the time of the painting as the backing paper resembles the paper in age and deterioration used in the other portraits; several creases, 1 1/4 x 3/4 in. patch repair l.r. edge, foxing, the paper further laid down onto paper.
Mrs.W.- she holds a book entitled "Self Indulgence", the painting is laid down onto paper; some old patched paper repairs done long ago across the top edge, some vertical and horizontal creases, toned, some losses on edges and corners, foxing.
Girl- the painting is laid down onto paper; some vertical and horizontal creases, toned, foxing.
Boy- the painting is laid down onto paper; some vertical and horizontal creases, toned, foxing.

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