03-04-201203-04-2012
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
2585BBoston
March 4, 2012 11:00 AMCalender
203

Possibly Robert Field, (American, born in England c. 1769-1819),Portrait Miniature of Thomas Jefferson c. 1800.

Sell one like this
 
Auction: American Furniture & Decorative Arts - 2585BLocation: BostonDate / Time: March 04, 2012 11:00AM

Description:

Possibly Robert Field, (American, born in England c. 1769-1819),

Portrait Miniature of Thomas Jefferson c. 1800. Unsigned. Watercolor on ivory, c. 1800, oval bust-length portrait, 2 1/2 x 2 in., in an oval gilt-brass pendant case, the reverse with blue glass border surrounding an oval aperture containing plaited locks of blond and brown hair overlaid with "TJ" cipher in gilt foil, further housed in an oval silk-lined red leather case.

Note: Robert Field, the prominent American miniaturist and engraver, painted Thomas Jefferson (likely from life) in a small watercolor done around 1797, and in 1807 created an engraving of Jefferson after Gilbert Stuart's famous portrait. No documentation exists that shows Field painted Jefferson in miniature on ivory, but according to Field scholar Harry Piers, there does exist a miniature in oil inscribed in another hand "Jefferson. After Stuart by Robt. Field. Also engraved by R.F. Died in 1819."
Estimate $50,000-70,000

Minute paint smudge on left facing eyebrow/forehead, the secondery leather case is warped so that it does not completely close.

Keywords

Robert Field, Thomas Jefferson, Gilbert Stuart, United Kingdom, Harry Piers, oil, Minute paint smudge