This lot consists of an exquisite pair of late Georgian/early Victorian era oil paintings by Henry Inman (American, 1801-1846). These distinguished, life-size portraits -- still in their original frames -- depict Mr. and Mrs. James George Stacey of Fayette, New York, and were probably painted to commemorate the couple’s wedding.

Overall framed dimensions are approximately 47” x 39.5”, with respective image sights of approximately 35.5” x 28.5”.

James George Stacey (1796-1855) was the elder son of Tacy Anna Bevan and George Stacey, a statesman who worked closely with at least three sitting U.S. Presidents (Adams, Jefferson, and Buchanan). Following his father’s untimely death, James G. Stacey and his younger brother, Davis, “went home” to their maternal grandfather. Their mother’s father was an educated and benevolent man who took in the two boys and oversaw their education.

As young men, the Stacey brothers went into business together. Eventually, James and Davis Stacey developed the largest fleet of shipping vessels in Philadelphia at the time. They were held in high regard by their many staff members, who would later note the exceptional kindness of their employers. The Stacey brothers ran a booming business - dealing in materials like salt and cotton - until the loss of one-too-many ships within a short period of time forced them to suspend all operations.

In 1826, following the disbandment of the Stacey shipping firm, J.G. Stacey married a fair, auburn-haired young lady from Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania named Hannah Weyman. James and Hannah Stacey soon began a family of their own, welcoming and “liberally” educating four sons and five daughters in the years to follow. The Staceys moved from Philadelphia to Fayette, New York, in 1846, where Hannah’s mother and stepfather had settled. James G. Stacey and son William soon became deeply engaged with the business and agricultural affairs of the area.

The Staceys made their home at Aubrey Farm, overlooking Seneca Lake, on a property purchased from the sprawling Rose Hill estate. The Rose Hill mansion house is a jewel of Greek Revival architecture that was constructed about fifteen years before the Staceys’ arrival -- a source of pride in the Geneva, New York area that has endured right up to the present-day.

James George Stacey died at home at Aubrey Farm on July 9, 1855.

These charming portraits were purchased directly from the Rose Hill estate in the early 21st century.

It is presumed that Henry Inman was commissioned to portray the newlywed Mr. and Mrs. Stacey sometime around 1830, when they would have been about 25 and 30 years old, respectively. One is invited to note that the glow of youth and the fashion of the day has been carefully reflected in these striking oil paint likenesses. It is clear that a skilled hand strove to capture the details that defined these two people: the gleam in Mr. Stacey’s eye, the fiery bronze sheen of Mrs. Stacey’s ringlets.

Reverse side of pieces feature affixed paper labels which are partial, but largely legible. They read:

"James [George Stacey],
husband of
Hannah Weyman Stacey
Painted by Henry I[nman]"

"JAMES GEORGE STACEY 1ST"

"[Hannah] Weyman S[tacey]
Wife of J.G. Stacey 1st
Daughter of William Weyman
Painted by Henry Inman"

A second label affixed to the reverse side of Mrs. Stacey's portrait bears the name and information of restorers/antique dealers Craft & Craft of Cape May Court House, New Jersey. "Gold Leaf Gilders and [...] Frame Conservators."

Henry Inman (American, 1801-1846) was a painter from Utica, New York (located about 100 miles from Aubrey Farm). The Inman family moved from Utica to New York City when young Henry was about 11 years old. From age 13 to 17, Inman apprenticed with renowned American painter John Wesley Jarvis (1780-1939). He then struck out on his own, producing popular English landscapes and genre paintings with titles such as 'Ruins of Brambletye' and ‘Rip Van Winkle’.

It was in the realm of portraiture, however, that Henry Inman’s natural gifts were most beautifully showcased. Inman was eventually commissioned to portray an impressive list of notable public figures from all levels of American government. This list included presidents, governors, and cabinet members, as well as many other public figures, such as the esteemed naturalist John James Audubon (American, 1785-1851) and Romantic poet William Wordsworth (English, 1770-1850).

Inman served as the first vice president of Manhattan’s National Academy of Design. He was also tasked with historical portraiture and reproduction for print. In fact, Inman’s splendid images of indigenous American leaders and other historical luminaries are widely reproduced today. Inman paintings hang in the National Portrait Gallery of the United States, the Yale University Art Gallery, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and, until very recently, the quiet halls of Rose Hill mansion.

PROVENANCE:
Paintings were purchased from the Rose Hill Estate.

DIMENSIONS:
Framed approx. 47" x 39.5" respectively; image sights approx. 35.5" x 28.5" respectively.



Finger Lakes Auction has been commissioned to liquidate a once-in-a-lifetime fine art collection from an Upstate New York Estate. Pieces contained in this auction are some of the finest paintings ever to be offered through our Art Gallery.

PLEASE NOTE: Lots that do not carry established documented provenance nor any past auction record are described in this catalog as "in the style of". Authentication has not been established nor is it implied. Definition of "in the style of" is as follows:

"In the style of" [Artist Name] : The work may be ascribed to the artist on the basis of style, but there may be some question as to actual authorship.

Overall very good condition for their age. The paintings, canvas and frames each remain sound, with incredibly rich colors and stunning detail intact.