(18th century)

Portrait of a Smiling Young Gentleman, circa 1785, wearing a blue coat, red waistcoat, a cluster of fob of seals, powdered hair in queue, and seated in a library, unsigned, oil on canvas, 36 x 27-7/8 in.; fine 18th century style carved and gilt wood frame, 45-3/8 x 37-3/8 in.

Note: This portrait is recorded in the Frick Database as an early work by the Danish/American portrait artist, Christian Gullager (1759–1826) who immigrated to American in 1782. His early works were usually more finely painted as this one exemplifies. The document aslo suggests that the painting was in the possession of an Antwerp dealer in 1940.See: https://digitalcollections.frick.org/digico/#/

Provenance: The Estate of Peter H. Tillou, Litchfield, Connecticut

lined, restretched on new stretcher, crackle, some overcleaning in black pants, retouch scattered throughout with limited amount in face; frame with abrasions