AMERICAN SCHOOL

AMERICAN SCHOOL

19th Century

Portrait of two children and their dog in a bucolic setting.

Inscribed verso "By Benjamin West Salem Mass", believed to be an erroneous attribution.
Accompanying notes and research indicate the painting was purchased in the 1960s by Virginia Bliss Keith of Somerset, Massachusetts, from antiques dealer Mason Cleveland, who had purchased it at an auction in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The work is compared with several others by or attributed to Joseph Whiting Stock (Massachusetts, 1815-1855), noting similarities in facial features, the stylized dogs seen in the paintings, and the roses held by the subjects.
The inscription on the reverse could be an attempt to falsely attribute the painting to artist Benjamin West (Pennsylvania/United Kingdom, 1738-1820), known for historical and allegorical scenes and considered to be the first American artist to gain international fame. Another artist named Benjamin West (Massachusetts/California, 1818-1854) was born in Salem, Massachusetts, and though there is little information about him, he is known for ship paintings rather than figural portraits, making it unlikely this is his work.
Provenance:
The Yarmouth Port Collection of Bill Roth and Sandra Bliss K. Roth.
Oil on canvas, 34" x 42". Unframed.

Condition: Revarnished. Small areas have been touched up. Area between the heads has been restored.

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