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Portrait Of George C. Beaufort By Edward W. Clay

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Historic Americana

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Portrait Of George C. Beaufort By Edward W. Clay

1820's, Peale Museum Hollow-Cut Silhouette Portrait by Edward Williams Clay, of George C. Beaufort, 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: "Geo. Cuthbert Beaufort - G. C. 1822." The white paper from which the silhouette is cut, embossed with "Peale's Museum" and a spread-winged eagle, 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.

Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827) opened two museums: "Peale's American Museum"-- which opened in Philadelphia in 1786, and "Peale's Museum and Portrait Gallery," which was established in New York in 1825. Peale was a painter who apprenticed with Benjamin West in London in the late 1760s. In 1776 he moved to Philadelphia, in the hopes of further developing his career. Through his contacts made while serving as a captain of the Continental Army, Peale painted a remarkable assemblage of Revolutionary War figures, including the most comprehensive portrait series ever painted of George Washington. The museum collection grew substantially through the efforts of Peale himself and through the donations of others. The museum also became a repository for the collection of the American Philosophical Society, and was later run by Peale's sons. The Philadelphia museum was moved to Baltimore in the 1800's, and by the turn of the 19th century had fallen on hard times. The museum was resurrected in the 1930's and still exists today.

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