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Lot 81: Robert Edge Pine (British, 1742-1788), portrait of george washington (1732-1799), circa 1785, Oil on canvas, carved gilt frame.

Est: $100,000 USD - $150,000 USDPassed
Freeman'sPhiladelphia, PA, USMay 02, 2014

Item Overview

Description

Robert Edge Pine (British, 1742-1788)

portrait of george washington (1732-1799), circa 1785

Oil on canvas, carved gilt frame.

32 1/2 in. x 24 3/8 in. (sight)



PROVENANCE:

Sold on behalf of a private British collector.
Ex-Collection: Alexander Kardo Sessoeff, purchased New York, February 1952.
According to John Hill Morgan and Mantle Fielding, "In November, 1927, Messrs. Kennedy & Company, of New York City, had a Washington, evidently by Pine, which had been found in France. This was sold to an American collector..." (88).

Artist or Maker

Condition Report

Inscribed along top stretcher, "Rembrandt Peale (1778-1860)" and "Philadelphia," relined and new stretcher, retouch to under chin, lower cheek, small areas of forehead, right lapel, below hand, and scattered areas of jacket- primarily left shoulder and elbow and small areas of right front, also some scattered areas to background around head. "


Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Freeman's Conditions of Sale.

Notes

Believed to be the fourth portrait of George Washington by Robert Edge Pine, painted during Pine's stay at Mount Vernon, April 28th to May 16th 1785. Could possibly be the "Fine portrait of His Excellency General Washington" as listed in "Scheme of a Lottery Authorised by Act of Assembly for the Sale of a Real Estate, and a large and valuable Collection of Paintings, Engravings & c. Late the Property of Robert Edge Pine, deceased," Philadelphia, August 1, 1789.

The son of renowned British engraver, John Pine (1690-1756), Robert Pine began working in London but suffered from a lack of recognition in his native country. Pine befriended Washington's neighbor, associate and intimate, George William Fairfax (1729-1787) and expressed to him his American sympathies. Consequently, Pine was introduced to Washington via letters from Fairfax in spring 1784 as a "worthy Artist" and a "true 'Son of Liberty'." Pine emigrated to America shortly thereafter, arriving at Mount Vernon in April 1785 with intentions of painting a non-commissioned portrait of Washington and with letters from notable Philadelphians, including one from Francis Hopkinson (1737-1791) in which Pine is described as "the most eminent Artist, in his Way, we have ever had in this Country."

During his stay at Mount Vernon, Pine is known to have painted portraits of Washington, as well as of Mrs. Washington, Frances Bassett (now Frances Washington), and the four Custis grandchildren. In a letter from R.E. Pine to George Washington, dated 16 December 1785, Pine expresses his desire, "That the Pictures may meet with an endulgent reception has been my hope, and my ambittion, that they may be honour'd with some degree of approbation, by your Excelly and Mrs Washington."

On May 16, 1785, Washington, in reference to his sittings for Pine, writes, "In for a penny, in for a pound is an old adage. I am so hackneyed to the touches of the Painter's pencil, that I am not altogether at their beck, and sit like patience on a Monument, whilst they are delineating the lines of my face." The three additional known portraits of Washington by Pine bear a very strong resemblance to this example in so far as they present a 3/4 view of the President, facing left, dressed in his Uniform of the Continental Army with his right hand clutching a gold-tipped cane; a tent and the edge of a spear are visible in the upper right corner. The first is the Property of the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian, Washington, DC; the second, is situated in the Second Bank National Portrait Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and the third is Property of Jack Warner and Westervelt Company, now on display at the Tuscalonsa Museum, Alabama. For additional provenance for these paintings and a discussion of Robert Edge Pine and his George Washington portraits see: John Hill Morgan and Mantle Fielding, The Life Portraits of Washington and their Replicas, Philadelphia: 1931, pp. 83-88.

Souces: Laura Simo's Face-to-Face talk on George Washington, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.
Letters referenced in this note can be seen in their entirety on the National Archives Founders Online website.

Payment & Shipping

Accepted forms of payment: Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Freeman's does not offer packing, shipping or freighting service. ALL shipping is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Upon completion of the transaction, please call or email a shipper of your choice; you may call one shipper to do the job but are also welcome to call several in order to get quotes (please make sure this is clear to those you are calling)

Auction Details

American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts

by
Freeman's
May 02, 2014, 10:00 AM EST

2400 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, US

Terms

Live bidding may start higher or lower

Buyer's Premium

$0 - 50,000:28.0%
$50,001 - 1,000,000:23.0%
$1,000,001+:15.0%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$199$10
$200$499$25
$500$999$50
$1,000$2,999$100
$3,000$4,999$250
$5,000$9,999$500
$10,000$29,999$1,000
$30,000$49,999$2,000
$50,000$99,999$5,000
$100,000+$10,000

Terms and Conditions

All property offered and sold through Samuel T. Freeman & Co., ("Auctioneer", or "Broker", or the "Company") shall be offered and sold on the terms and conditions set forth in these Conditions of Sale. By participating in any sale, you acknowledge that you are bound by these terms and conditions.

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Unless exempted by law from the payment thereof, the purchaser will be required to pay any and all applicable state and/or local sales taxes. Deliveries to be made outside the state where a sale is conducted may therefore be subject to a corresponding or compensating tax in another state.

Contract Information

All property offered and sold through Samuel T. Freeman & Co., ("Auctioneer", or "Broker", or the "Company") shall be offered and sold on the terms and conditions set forth in these Conditions of Sale. By participating in any sale, you acknowledge that you are bound by these terms and conditions.

Payment Information

An invoice representing the total due of hammer + buyer's premium + sales tax (if applicable) will be issued and is due within 5 days of the sale. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, checks payable in US dollars, and bank transfers. Freeman's does not accept credit cards. Lots purchased will not be released until funds have cleared the bank.

Shipping Information

Freeman's does not offer packing, shipping or freighting service. ALL shipping is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Upon completion of the transaction, please call or email a shipper of your choice; you may call one shipper to do the job but are also welcome to call several in order to get quotes (please make sure this is clear to those you are calling)

Buyer's Premium

A buyer's premium will be added to your successful bid at the rate of 25% on the first 50,000, 20 % between 50,001 and 1,000,000, and 12% thereafter. Be sure to factor in the buyer's premium when determining your maximum bid.

Taxes on your purchase

Unless exempted by law, from the payment thereof, the purchaser will be required to pay any and all applicable state and/or local sales taxes. Deliveries to be made outside the state where a sale is conducted may therefore be subject to a corresponding or compensating tax in another state.

Condition Statement

Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Freeman's Conditions of Sale. Samuel T. Freeman & Co. has made every effort to catalogue and describe accurately property to be sold. The Company, however, assumes no risk, liability or responsibility for the identification or authenticity or authorship, or weight, count, or measure of any property identified in its catalogue or lists of sale. This shall include, among others, the identity of the creator, the period, culture, source of origin, as the case may be, with which the creation of any property is identified in any publication.