Matthew Harris Jouett Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Matthew Harris Jouett Art Value Price Guide

Nov. 22, 2024
Matthew Harris Jouett, American/Kentucky 1788-1827, Dr. Walter Brashear (1776-1860), oil on canvas, 25 1/2 in. x 21 1/2 in.
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
Matthew Harris Jouett American/Kentucky, 1788-1827 Dr. Walter Brashear (1776-1860) oil on canvas c. 1822, unsigned, inscribed "Dr. Brashear by Matthew Jouett" on stretcher, 25 1/2 in. x 21 1/2 in., framed, overall 32 in. x 28 in. x 2 1/4 in. Provenance: Frances Brashear Lawrence (c. 1820-1895), daughter of the sitter, Morgan City, LA and Tom's River, NJ; likely by descent to her son, Robert Brashear Lawrence (1847-1929); to his grandson, R.E. Lawrence (1926-2009); Private Collection, PA.
Neal Auction Company
May. 14, 2022
†American School, "Portrait of a Gentleman," 19th c., oil on canvas, unsigned, possibly by James Frothingham or a contemporary, prese..
Est: $800 - $1,200
American School, "Portrait of a Gentleman," 19th c., oil on canvas, unsigned, possibly by James Frothingham or a contemporary, presented in an ebonized frame, H.- 29 1/2 in., W.- 23 1/2 in., Framed H.- 34 3/8 in., W.- 28 3/4 in.
Crescent City Auction Gallery
Sep. 22, 2020
Matthew Harris Jouett (1788-1827), A Portrait of Governor Isaac Shelby (1750-1826)
Est: $75,000 - $100,000
Circa 1818 oil on cradled panel 25 3/4 x 20 inches. The ambitious young artist Matthew Harris Jouett spent the summer of 1816 working in the studio of Presidential portraitist Gilbert Stuart. From that old master, he learned how to set his palette, place the figure on the planar field, and, perhaps most importantly, size up the subjects character. In Some Notes and observations from repeated conversations with Gilbert Stuart(Pennington, Matthew Harris Jouett pp. 299-309) Jouett offers, with some modestya reflection of mine: In painting great public characters be sure to have them elevated above youthis opens the countenance & gives a grandeur to the figure It was a compositional device he would employ to great effect, and considerable success. Once he returned to Kentucky and established a studio near the Court House square in Lexington, Jouett set about painting many of the seminal figures in early Kentucky history. Drawing upon social contacts from his student days at Transylvania University, family ties, and his distinguished service in the War of 1812, Jouett soon became the portraitist of choice for legends of the Commonwealth. One of the first of those he painted was Isaac Shelby. Shelby had been a Revolutionary War soldier, a hero of the Battle of Kings Mountain, South Carolina. After the war he settled in Knob Creek, Lincoln County, until like Cincinnatus and George Washington, he was called from the field to participate in political conventions leading to statehood in 1792. He was unanimously elected governor, May 1792, and served until June 1796, when he again left public life for sixteen years to farm at Travelers Rest, Boyd County. As war loomed, he was again elected Governor in 1812, and as a General commanded forces at the epic Battle of the Thames. Jouett painted him after his return to farming at Travellers Rest, where he died and is buried. Lewis Collins, Whig historian sublime, observed that the vigor of his constitution fitted him to endure active and severe bodily exercise, and the energetic symmetry of his person, united with a peculiar suavity of manner, rendered his deportment impressively dignified; his strong natural sense was aided by close observation on men and things: and the value qualities of method and perseverance, imparted success to all his efforts. (Collins, History of KentuckyKentucky Historical Society reprint, 1966 p 531). Jouetts ability to apply Stuarts formula for restrained exaltation is beautifully apparent in his depiction of Shelbys peculiar suavity of manner The old war horse sits high on the canvas, with that slightly bemused look which Jouett often painted as a coy restraint from implicit arrogance, or outright haughty demeanor. With that wary welcome look Shelby joins others from Jouetts canon who gaze down through the ages from their golden frames with secure self-awareness and polite regard. LITERATURE: Martin, Mrs. William H. Catalog of All Known Paintings by Matthew Harris Jouett. Louisville: J.B. Speed Memorial Museum, 1939, number 412, p. 44. Pennington, Estill Curtis. Matthew Harris Jouett (1788-1827) his life and work. 2020, pp. 240-243. Price, Samuel Woodson. Old Masters of the Bluegrass: Jouett, Bush, Grimes, Frazer, Morgan, Hart. Filson Club Publications, no. 17. Louisville: J.P. Morton and Co., 1902, p. 64. Provenance: By direct descent in the family from the sitter to his elder son Thomas Hart Shelby; to his son Edmund Pendleton Shelby; to his son Thomas Hart Shelby; to the father of the current owner. It should be noted that this is the original portrait Jouett painted of Shelby from life, and upon which he based several copies painted for family members, notably the oft reproduced version given by his descendant Susanna Preston Shelby Grigsby to the Kentucky Historical Society. This portrait has been seldom seen and never publicly exhibited.
Cowan's Auctions
Oct. 21, 2017
Matthew Harris Jouett (American, 1788-1827), Portrait of Colonel William Allen Trimble
Est: $8,000 - $10,000
Portrait of Colonel William Allen Trimble (1786-1821) oil on wooden panel unsigned ca 1817-1823 framed 26.25 x 21.5 in. (sight) William Allen Trimble was born in Woodford County, Kentucky to James and Jane Allen Trimble. He attended Transylvania University in Lexington prior to reading law with his kinsman, Judge Robert Trimble, in Paris, Kentucky. Following his family to Ohio, he settled in Hillsboro, Highland County, where he was admitted to the bar in 1811. At the outbreak of the War of 1812, he entered military service as a major in the Ohio Volunteers and saw action at the Battle of Fort Detroit and in the Niagara Campaign. He was seriously wounded during the siege of Fort Erie in August 1814, when a musket ball passed through his body just above his heart. Although he barely survived, by October he was able to write to his family, concluding with the intrepid request to tell his mother that when I was not expected to live an hour that I was not afraid but perfectly willing to die. A celebrated war hero, he was sent to Congress in 1819 as a United States Senator from Ohio. However, his health was severely impaired from his wound and he died in office in 1821. Jouett painted him in December 1820, as documented in a letter in which he tells his family I have sent Jewett one hundred dollars for my portrait. That painting is now in the collection of the Ohio Historical Society; the portrait at hand is a variant made for his favorite brother Allen. At his best, Jouett was a faithful student of Gilbert Stuart, having acquired that master artists ability to portray his subjects character with warmth and intensity. A handsome man, Trimble is set before us as a stalwart, fearless soldier who casts his eye upon the viewer with that grave certainty we associate with the Federal Era. (All quotes taken from Mary McArthur Thompson Tuttle, William Allen Trimble, United States Senator from Ohio, Ohio History Journal, (July, 1905). PROVENANCE: from the sitter to his brother Allen Trimble; to his daughter Eliza Jane Trimble Thomson; to her daughter Mary Thomson Tuttle; sold from her estate at auction to the current owner. LITERATURE: Recorded as number 471 in Elizabeth Martin, Catalog of Paintings by Matthew Harris Jouett, 1939; recorded as number 242 in Richard Jouett Menefees list of his grandfathers work, 1902; to be included in the forthcoming publication Matthew Harris Jouett (1788-1827): his life and work, by Estill Curtis Pennington. Provenance: Property from the Collection of Dr. M. Donald Hayes. To Be Sold Without Reserve.
Cowan's Auctions
Sep. 20, 2017
Matthew Harris Jouett (1788-1827) A Pair of Portraits of a Gentleman and Lady oil on canvas 29 1/8 x 23 ¼ in. (sight the gentleman); 29 ¼ x 23 ½ in. (sight the lady)
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
Matthew Harris Jouett (1788-1827) A Pair of Portraits of a Gentleman and Lady oil on canvas 29 1/8 x 23 ¼ in. (sight the gentleman); 29 ¼ x 23 ½ in. (sight the lady)
Christie's
Jan. 19, 2017
Matthew Harris Jouett (1787-1827) General Harding Harris of Vermont oil on cradled panel 29 ½ x 24 ½ in. (74.9 x 62.2 cm.)
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
MATTHEW HARRIS JOUETT (1787-1827) General Harding Harris of Vermont inscribed twice ‘General Harding Harris by Matthew Harris Jouett 1787-1827’ (on the reverse) oil on cradled panel 29.5 x 24.5 in. (74.9 x 62.2 cm.)
Christie's
Sep. 09, 2016
att. Matthew Jouett (1788-1827), Portrait of Lucretia Benjamin Bradish
Est: $1,000 - $3,000
oil on canvas (lined), circa 1820, unsigned, presented in a period, possibly original, gilt composition frame. SS 29 5/8 x 23.5 in.; DOA 37.25 x 31.5 in. By descent from Helen Bradish of New York City
Leland Little Auctions
Nov. 08, 2009
Matthew Harris Jouett (American, 1788-1827)
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
DESCRIPTION: Matthew Harris Jouett (American, 1788-1827). Painting. Oil on canvas. Portrait of Judith Swann Boswell (wife of Dr. William Hall Richardson). In gilded gesso frame with oval liner. Matthew Harris Jouett was born April 22, 1788 in Mercer County, Kentucky, the son of Captain John "Jack" Jouett, Jr. and Sallie Robards. The artist's father is well known for ride in 1781 that saved Governor Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia Legislature from capture by the British. Jouett attended Transylvania University in Lexington and after graduation, studied law. After serving in the War of 1812 with the Third Mounted Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, Jouett went to Boston in the summer of 1816 to study under Gilbert Stuart and later opened a studio in Lexington painting portraits and miniatures. He died on August 10, 1827 at the age of 39. PROVENANCE: Consigned by the family. The portrait of the husband, Dr. William Hall Richardson, was sold by Phillips, de Pury & Company on May 23, 2000. MEASUREMENTS: 22-3/4" x 18-3/4" oval. Overall with frame 32" x 28". CONDITION: Craquelure. Scattered pinprick losses. Frame with wear, losses, touchups.
Cordier Auctions & Appraisals
Oct. 03, 2009
Portrait of Miss Whipple, attr Jouett 19th C.
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
Portrait of Miss Whipple" attributed to Matthew Jouett (Matthew Harris Jouett Mercer County Kentucky 22 April 1788 - Lexington Kentucky 10 August 1827) . Oil on board circa 1817. Possibly Boston area having notations verso. Jouett studing under Gilbert Stuart in Boston, early 19th century. 26 5/16 high 20 1/2" wide Provenance: A California private collector
Schwenke Auctioneers
Feb. 07, 2009
Portrait of George Rogers Clark after Matthew Harris Jouett,
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
American, 19th century, oil on canvas, unsigned, bust length portrait of Revolutionary War officer in uniform, George Rogers Clark (1752-1818); 28" high x 22.5" wide (sight). Containing an illegible faint inscription, bottom right, consisting of three lines of large letters. After the portrait by Kentucky artist, Matthew Harris Jouett (1788-1827). General George Rogers Clark is best known for his military achievements during the Revolutionary War, and is credited with dominating the Northwest Territory with the Kentucky Militia. Although his life after the War was wrought with alcoholism and repeated failure, it is no surprise that he was an important subject for Matthew Harris Jouett, a renowned portrait artist. Even craquelure, relined and with minor inpainting in the background.
Cowan's Auctions
Nov. 28, 2007
Matthew Harris Jouett American, 1788-1827 Self Portrait
Est: $3,000 - $4,000
Matthew Harris Jouett American, 1788-1827 Self Portrait Oil on canvas 26 x 21 inches Provenance: The artist Thence by descent to the present owner Exhibited: Louisville, Kentucky, J.B. Speed Memorial Museum, All Known Paintings by Matthew Harris Jouett, 1939, no. 239 Matthew Jouett executed four self-portraits in his lifetime, of which one was destroyed by fire in 1845. The present example is the original unfinished self-portrait sketch, listed as #241 in the 1939 exhibition catalogue, All Known Paintings by Matthew Harris Jouett. It is not the version reproduced on the catalogue cover.
Doyle New York
Nov. 29, 2006
Matthew Harris Jouett American, 1788-1827 Portrait of Dr. Benjamin Winslow Dudley, 1810
Est: $2,000 - $4,000
Matthew Harris Jouett American, 1788-1827 Portrait of Dr. Benjamin Winslow Dudley, 1810 Oil on cradled panel 27 1/4 x 20 3/4 inches Provenance: Mrs. James Ross Todd, Louisville, Kentucky Exhibited: Louisville, Kentucky, The J.B. Speed Art Museum, A Centenary Exhibition of the Work of Matthew Harris Jouett, 1928 Louisville, Kentucky, The J.B. Speed Art Museum, on extended loan from 1983 Literature: Mrs. William H. Martin, All Known Paintings by Matthew Harris Jouett , Louisville, 1939, no. 131 Estimate $2,000-4,000 Frame rubbing. FIne craquelure throughout. Scattered tiny spots of inpainting down the center of the painting - several spots in his face. Inpainting is also scattered along the edges. Difficult to detect older restoration through the dulling varnish under UV light.
Doyle New York
Sep. 16, 2005
MATTHEW HARRIS JOUETT 1787 - 1827
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
PORTRAIT OF DR. WILLIAM HALL RICHARDSON measurements 24 by 19 3/4 in. alternate measurements 61 by 50.2 cm. inscribed in pencil on reverse Taken when 31 of age/ 1815/ Lexington oil on panel Condition Note: The surface is in good condition but the grain of the panel is somewhat visible through the paint; very minor craquelure on the forehead; clean varnish. Under UV light: retouches to the hair and to the craquelure on the forehead; further tiny retouches throughout the jacket. We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described in our catalogue. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE. LITERATURE William Barrow Floyd, Matthew Harris Jouett, Portraitist of the Ante-Bellum South, Transylvania University, Lexington Kentuky, 1980, p. 70, no. 44, illustrated NOTE Together with a framed letter from Dr. Richardson to a patient, dated November 2, 1837.
Sotheby's