$4,113
Attributed to Harriet Webster (American, 1785-1807) Mourning Picture, c. 1805. Unsigned. Watercolor and ink on paper depicting two grieving young women, one standing beside an urn-topped monument inscribed "Affectionately inscribed to the Memory / of Dea. T. WEBSTER / Obt Feb 12 1804 Age 47 Yrs.," the other woman is depicted kneeling beside a pyramidal monument inscribed "Sacred to the memory of / Mrs. S. WEBSTER / Obt Dec. 6 1799 / Aged 63 Yrs.," with two weeping willow trees in the background and foliage in the foreground, sight size 15 1/4 x 13 7/8 in., in an eglomise mat and giltwood frame. Condition: Creases and related unobtrusive repaired tears, minor retouch. Note: Harriet Webster, the presumed artist of this painting, was the granddaughter of Deacon and Sarah Webster and was a significant figure in schoolgirl education in early Massachusetts. Essex County Massachusetts probate records indicate Deacon Thomas Webster was born December 2, 1726 in Bradford, Massachusetts, and died February 12, 1804. He was 78 at the time of his death, not 47, as the watercolor indicates. (The awkwardness of the "4" on his tomb suggests that his age may have been altered by another hand at a later date). Deacon Webster married his second wife, Sarah Kimball, on November 17th, 1748. Their son Samuel was the father of Harriet Webster, and was also one of the founders of Bradford Academy where this watercolor is thought to have originated. Harriet Webster was the third preceptress at B Read more…
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2003-06-08
