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Sale 71
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Lot 2
George Washington Miniature Memorial Portrait on Ivory, Reverse With A Lock of His Hair. Watercolor on ivory, 2¼ x 1¾" attributed to Frederick Kemmelmeyer (c. 1755-1821), inscribed "G. Washington, OB 15 Dec. 1799. AE 68." In a locket with a reverse bezel containing a nine-inch lock of Washington's reddish-brown hair, with over 100 strands (a sample from this lock of hair was sent to the FBI's Hair and Fiber Unit, Washington, D.C. Mr. Douglas Deedrick, Unit Chief, conducted the analysis and a copy of his report accompanies this lot).
German artist Frederick Kemmelmeyer is best known for "General George Washington Reviewing the Western Army at Fort Cumberland, Maryland." He arrived in America in 1788 and on June 3, he placed an announcement in the Maryland Gazette; or, The Baltimore Advertiser for a "Drawing-School….[Kemmelmeyer] paints Miniatures and other sizes, in oil and water colours, and Sign Painting upon moderate terms." In 1803, he moved to Alexandria, Virginia and by 1807 moved to western Maryland, his moves being documented by his newspaper ads. His last known newspaper ad appeared in the Maryland Herald and Hagerstown Weekly Advertiser on Nov. 13, 1816. Attribution of this miniature painting was based upon direct comparisons with signed and dated Kemmelmeyer full-face depictions of General Washington, including the c. 1803 9¾ x 8" oil on paper titled "Genl. Geo. Washington" in the New York Public Library print room, Charles W. McAlpin collection. Compared were techniques and characteristics such as blue background and salmon-colored smallpox scars (obtained in 1751 in Barbados), the construction, shape and shading of feature details (eyes, eyebrows, nose, tip of nose, mouth, lips, hair and double chin). A distinctive characteristic of Kemmelmeyer's technique is his style of lettering, particularly the shape of the "G's," "E's" and the numbers "9" and "7". Although miniature painting was a significant part of the artist's output, this is the first miniature attributed to Kemmelmeyer. It is original and unrestored; the reverse glass of the locket has been replaced.
Provenance:
1.Charles G. Moore American Auction, New York, Feb. 28, 1997, Lot 1.
2. Claude Harkins.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 20,000.
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| Realized $15,000 |
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