Lot 208: Fraser, Charles A

Fraser, Charles A South Carolina (1782-1860) PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF CHARLESTONIAN MR. MONK, circa 1830 watercolor on ivory, in fitted red leather case signed: on verso on original paper backing, C. Fraser/Aug. 1830/Charleston. H3 3/4" W3" *Provenance: Descended from sitter Mr. Monk to previous owner by way of step-ancestry to Mrs. Robert Murdoch Walker (nee Emily Chardon Ravenel) to Mrs. William Ravenel Walker (nee Mary Bayley) to her son Mr. Bayley Ravenel Walker to present owner. *Note: This painting is in very good original condition and is believed to be one of Fraser's finest portrait miniatures. This miniature is listed in the Fraser Account book, p.10, entry #9 for the year 1830; of further interest is the original paper backing, another of which is referred to in the entry on p.50 within THE MINIATURE PORTRAIT COLLECTION OF THE CAROLINA ART ASSOCIATION for the miniature of John Huger II (1786-1853) where it states "Signed on verso Fraser 1820/never remove this paper." *Artist biography: Charles A. Fraser, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the most notable southern portrait miniaturists of the late 18th and 19th centuries. He resided at 56 King Street his entire life, and as a result the majority of his portrait miniatures are of Charlestonians, even though he made several trips out of South Carolina. Fraser is also noted for the landscape and literary themes within his paintings. His earliest known painting is of his cousin Andrew Rutledge, dated 1796 (Collection of the Charleston Museum). Fraser would have been 14 years of age at that time. Though self-taught, his painting style was most influenced by his friend, the well-known miniaturist Edward Greene Malbone (1777-1807). Thomas Sully (1783-1872) and Washington Allston (1779-1843) were friends as well. Fraser used both oils and watercolors, and his hallmark was a detailed system of stippling which gave his paintings a lighter and more delicate appearance. Fraser's works can be found in Charleston at Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston Museum of Art, Charleston City Hall, Yale University Art Gallery, and an assortment of other institutions. *Literature: Franks, Robin Jaffee. LOVE AND LOSS: AMERICAN PORTRAIT AND MOURNING MINIATURES. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2000. Severens, Martha R., and Charles L. Wyrick. CHARLES FRASER OF CHARLESTON, ESSAYS OF THE MAN, HIS ART AND HIS TIMES. Charleston, SC: Gibbes Art Gallery, 1983. Severens, Martha R., and Charles L. Wyrick. THE MINIATURE PORTRAIT COLLECTION OF THE CAROLINA ART ASSOCIATION. Charleston, SC: Gibbes Art Gallery, 1984.