Medium: Oil
Support: Canvas
Artist: Unknown
Artist Dates: American mid 19th c.
Country of Origin: America
Title & Description: The Capture of Major Andre`.This painting depicts the famous capture of Major Andre` during the American Revolution, where American militiamen found the incriminating letter in the Major's boot, proving he was plotting to give West Point to the British in return for nearly a million dollars by modern standards. His flaw came when, dressed as a civilian, he believed two militiamen to be Hessians and stated his allegiance to their cause as well. Within the painting, one sees the moment in which the militia discover the papers he had kept in his stocking revealing himself and Benedict Arnold as traitors to the American cause. It is noted that Andre` attempted to bribe the men with a horse and his watch, which can be inferred in the painting by Andre`'s two outstretched hands; one to the horse, the other to Hiram Paulding - the man holding the papers discovered in his stocking.
Signature: None
Date of Work: Mid- 19th c.
Frame: Gilt wood and gesso
Work Size: 25.0 x 30.0"
Frame Size: 32.5 x 37.0"
Weight: 11.4lbs
Provenance: Putnam County Estate
Condition: Edge lined and inspected under UV light. L- shaped repaired tear 3" x 2" legs 1/4" wide(likely a repaired tear), some small spots in sky, some glaze-like touchup in the green coat. Two patches verso.
Artist Biography: After a prominent work by Asher B. Durand. The original work painted in 1845 resides in the collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art in Alabama and is identical in size 25 x 30".