Lot 196: JUSTUS DALEE (1793-1878)

FULL-LENGTH PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG GIRL IN PINK DRESS, THREE-STRAND CORAL NECKLACE, PANTALOONS AND CHECKED SHOES

4 3/4 by 2 7/8 in. (12.1 by 7.3cm)

Inscribed along the bottom: Delineated in Palmyra, March 1843. Some discoloration on left and right side.

watercolor, pen and ink on paper

NOTE

According to Michael and Suzanne Payne ("To Please the Eye: Justus Da Lee and His Family", Folk Art, Winter 2004/2005, pages 46-57), these full standing children's portraits were done as parts of a large family group of portraits. Each family member was done individually and, if the child was generally less than 4 years old, the child would be painted in his characteristic full standing pose. They also state that a group of letters between the various family members surfaced while they were doing their research. These wonderful letters have been donated to the American Folk Art Museum. A letter, dated May 8, 1843, from Justus to Richard, actually discusses Justus's visit to Palmyra, New York. This letters states, "I went to Palmyra, as I wrote John (another brother) and made $50 in less than 3 weeks, all money. Mary (his wife) and I started again April 11 and visisted Palmyra a second time: made from 50 to 60 dol's more, but instead of money it was mostly trade." This image of a full standing child in a yellow dress with the description "Delineated in Palmyra" represents a rare example we have seen from these two Palmyra trips and the most unusual circumstance that we have a folk painter actually describing in a letter that he visited and painted in this city during these dates.