My sleuthful colleague wrote to "LiveAuctioneers.com" to ask for information about the provenance of this painting of Admiral Cyrus Blake of (it is thought) Boston.
(see entry July 20, 2009)
She replied:
The family of this estate is keeping information very private. I am trying to pry out the full lineage. I can say the Blake family cross is to Blair, which is the family the portrait was handed down and consigned to us.That's all I can say for right now. After receiving your note, I have been doing additional research and found links that may indicate we are on the wrong track with Gilbert Stuart attribution. Clearly the portrait is top-notch for the era. And frankly, as frustrating as all heck. Kathleen
to which my esteemed colleague replied:
Dear Kathleen -
I can appreciate your frustration! May I suggest it is by another notable artist - a protege of Stuart's - James Frothingham?
If in fact Cyrus Blake was from the Boston area -
and given the period attire - you still have a valuable portrait on your hands!
Good luck in your investigation!
All good wishes.
Dave
I can appreciate your frustration! May I suggest it is by another notable artist - a protege of Stuart's - James Frothingham?
If in fact Cyrus Blake was from the Boston area -
and given the period attire - you still have a valuable portrait on your hands!
Good luck in your investigation!
All good wishes.
Dave
~~~~~
The portrait did not sell at auction.
~
so many mysteries, so little time
ReplyDeleteJames Frothingham, protege, sounds promising.
ReplyDelete