Lot 4107 email save

Peales Museum Silhouette Portrait, Edward W. Clay

Sign In to see what this sold for

Historic Americana

---

Peale's Museum Silhouette Portrait By Edward W. Clay

1820's, Peale's Museum Hollow-Cut Silhouette Portrait by Edward Williams Clay, Choice Very Fine.
This delightful silhouette portrait, cut from white paper set against a black background, is identified by a pencil inscription made by the artist reading: "Louisa - 2 October 1825." The white paper from which the silhouette is cut, embossed with "Peale's Museum," measures 5" x 3.75" while the black frame, probably dating to the 1920's, measures 7.25" x 5.5" (not examined out of the frame). Written on the back in pencil at the bottom is the name Theodore Bolton. Also on the back, at the top, in pen is written: "Property of Miss Mary Clay Bolton - Mechanics and Metals Bank - 204 Fifth Avenue, New York City." This portrait is evenly toned and well preserved.



Edward Williams Clay (1799-1857) was a noted American illustrator, caricaturist, engraver and lithographer, born in Philadelphia, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar about 1825. He abandoned law to pursue a career in art, where he achieved considerable celebrity, particularly for his "Life in Philadelphia" series, begun in 1828, which was inspired by Cruikshank's "Life in London" drawings. Politically, Clay was a Whig, a supporter of slavery, and a critic of presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. In 1837 he moved from Philadelphia to New York City, but gradually lost his eyesight and was forced to abandon his artistic pursuits.

Early American will accept payment by check or credit card.