Lot 182 email save

Miniature portrait on ivory attrib. to John Wood Dodge

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Rare portrait on ivory of young boy, attributed to John Wood Dodge (1807-1893, working in Nashville, 1840-1861). Miniature depicts a young boy wearing a black hat and tartan plaid jacket, possibly a posthumous portrait. An enclosure on the back shows a braided lock of hair under glass. The pink-tinged clouds in the background and position of the sitter are typical of Dodge's work. Dodge worked as a portrait painter in Nashville from 1840-1861, painting the likenesses of many of the city's most prominent citizens. Recent research has revealed Dodge painted a miniature of Mary House Thompson, the first mistress of Glen Leven and John Thompson’s wife. Mary had a young son, Jimmy House, from a previous marriage with George House. Their son was believed to have died in childhood. Further confirmation of sitter being Jimmy House - John Wood Dodge's original ledger lists the following, "Nashville Tennessee Dec. 9, 1845 Son of Geo. W. House from cast". Very good condition with light foxing and a minor brown spot to right side of the background, one hasp missing on the back of the oval case. Dimensions of oval portrait 1 7/8" x 2 1/4". Circa 1845. Glen Leven estate.

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