$27,600
Benjamin Greenleaf (Massachusetts/New Hampshire, 1769-1821) Portrait of George Brackett of Randolph, Vermont, Age 11 Months, Holding a Bird. Signed, dated, and subject identified in inscriptions on the backboard "George Brackett born wednesday November the 21 1810/Painted by Benj.n Greenleaf at Randolf Vermont September 6 1811." Reverse-painted in oil on glass, 12 1/4 x 10 in., in a probably original black-painted molded wood frame. Condition: Glass cracked u.r. corner, scattered craquelure, repaint ot back ground and minor retouch. Note: The inscription on the backboard places the artist in a location where he was not previously known to paint. The inclusion of a bird in the composition is apparently unique. Provenance: Walters-Benisek, purchased in 1996. Literature: For information on the artist see the article "Who was Benjamin Greenleaf?" by Arthur and Sybil Kern, Antiques World , September 1981, pp. 38-47; and the article "Benjamin Greenleaf: Nineteenth Century Portrait Painter," by the same authors, in The Clarion , Spring/Summer edition, 1985, pp. 40-47.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2013-10-27
