Lot 52: Attributed to Jane Stuart, (American, 1812-1888) Pair of Portraits: George and Martha Washington. Unsigned, the reverse of each canvas

Attributed to Jane Stuart, (American, 1812-1888)

Pair of Portraits: George and Martha Washington. Unsigned, the reverse of each canvas is inscribed: "Copy of Gilbert Stuart's Washington by his daughter Jane Stuart, Boston." Oil on canvas, oval bust-length portraits in an oval with dark spandrels, surrounded by black spandrels, 17 1/4 x 18 1/4 in., in original molded gilt-gesso frames. Condition: Minor retouch.

Provenance: Descended in the consignors' family since the late 19th century.

Note: Jane Stuart was the youngest of Gilbert Stuart's twelve children. Linda Eppich, who curated an exhibition of Jane's work at the Redwood Library in Newport, Rhode Island, earlier this year, reports that Jane was known to assist in her father's studio, even in her youth. After Gilbert's death in 1828, 'she spent much of her life defending her father's reputation and turning out copies of his most famous works,' according to Bill Van Ciclen, who reviewed the Redwood Library's show ('Gilbert Stuart's daughter was a fine artist in her own right,' Providence Journal, February 8, 2009). Portraits like those offered presently were especially popular.