Lot 356: Ruth Henshaw Bascom (Massachusetts, 1771-1848) Portraits of Spelman C. Bascom and Philena Ballard Bascom, and a Cutout of Miss Phil ena

Ruth Henshaw Bascom (Massachusetts, 1771-1848)

Portraits of Spelman C. Bascom and Philena Ballard Bascom, and a Cutout of Miss Phil ena Ballard. Unsigned. The profile portrait of Spelman C. Bascom as a young man with brown hair and coat against a green and white background, 18 x 13 1/4, in original frame with handwritten inscription "Spelman C. Bascom" affixed to the back in the artist's hand; the cutout profile portrait of Philena Ballard Bascom as a young woman with brown hair, subtle flesh tones, and brown eyes, outlined in pencil against a light blue and green background suggesting sky and trees, 18 x 13 1/4, in original frame with handwritten inscription "Philena Ballard Bascom"; the cutout profile, probably an unfinished work which was never colored, inscribed "Miss Philena Ballard of Gill taken March 1835. by R.H. Bascom," paper with subtle pencil outlines, (toning and creases), 14 1/2 x 9 1/2 in.

Note: Ruth Henshaw Bascom's diary in the collection of the American Antiquarian Society contains entries referring to Philena and framing her portrait on 26 March 1835, and taking her copy on 27 March.

Mercy Philena Ballard (b. June 16, 1811) married Cyrus Spelman Bascom (b. October 17, 1810) on September 29, 1838, in Gill, Massachusetts. Her portrait was framed when she was 24, three years before her marriage.