AMER AUGUST 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, August 24, 2015.
WILLIAM MATTHEW PRIOR (American, 1808-1873) OUTSTANDING PAIR OF PORTRAITS DEPICTING CAPTAIN & MRS. NATHANIEL HOLMES. Oil on canvas portraits. The Captain's portrait shows a half portrait view of him wearing a black suit coat over a black vest and white shirt. Off his shoulder is seen a ship in full sail flying the American flag. A small section of a red upholstered chair is in view below the nautical scene. The Captain's wife shows a half portrait view of her seated in a red upholstered chair wearing a black dress with a flat lace collar. A red edged curtain is open to show a bucolic scene with a tree and shrubs. NOTE: On reverse of wife is a Polaroid picture of the back signature before the painting was restored "By Wm. M Prior 1848". Housed in identical period gilt wood frames. SIZE: 27" x 22". Overall: 31-1/2" x 28-1/4". PROVENANCE: Sotheby's, New York, November 17, 1972, Lot 421; Alan Daniels to present Massachusetts consignor. CONDITION: Both professionally restored, lined, inpainting on replacement stretchers. Man is very good, woman with craquelure and uneven varnish. In need of light cleaning. 48552-1 (10,000-20,000) WAG0