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MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN BY AMOS M. HOLBRO

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MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN BY AMOS M. HOLBROOK (NEW ENGLAND, 2ND QUARTER-19TH CENTURY).
Watercolor on paper, signed below and dated December 1830. Fine bust-length portrait of a young man, possibly identified on the backboard as Levi Johnson. Minor imperfections. 5"h. 4 1/4"w., in likely its original, decorated frame, 6 1/8"h. 5 1/2"w. Ex Mary Allis (Connecticut), ex American Folk Art Gallery (New York), ex Stewart E. Gregory (sold at Sotheby Parke-Bernet, New York, 1979, lot 100).

All that is known of Holbrook is that he painted the present portrait in December 1830 and the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Eben Parrish of Windham County, Connecticut, in December 1831 (see the Susan and Ray Egan Collection, Northeast Auctions, August 5, 2006, lot 603). An Amos Holbrook (b. 1809) appears in the 1870 census in Niagara County, New York, as a cabinetmaker and another Amos Holbrook (b. 1783) appears in the 1850 census in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, as a farmer. That the known portraits were all executed in December allows one to speculate that the artist engaged in his primary occupation during the spring, summer, and fall, and turned to portraiture to earn money during the winter months.

The present portrait was found in New England, and the period inscription on the backboard, "Levi Johnson", could well be the sitter, but the name appears too frequently in New England genealogical records to be positively identified.

Condition: Toning, particularly to the margins (right margin the worst), minor edge damage and a few spot. Frame with original glas and original decoration with an alligatored finish.

Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by our Conditions of Sale.

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