Attributed to Edward Savage

(American, 1761-1817)

Portrait of President John Adams (1735-1826), unsigned, bears label verso "Tilden Thurber Co./ Art Gallery/Providence, R.I./Makers of/ Artistic Frames", oil on canvas, 30 x 25-1/4 in.; possibly original period gilt wood and composition frame, 35-1/2 x 30-1/2 x 3 in.

Provenance: Freeman Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 3, 2022, lot 14, sold for $11,340.

Note: From 1795 until 1801, Edward Savage was working in Philadelphia as a painter, engraver, print publisher and gallery operator. During this period, Philadelphia was the nation’s capital and President John Adams resided there (1789-1797). It is likely that this portrait of President Adams was completed during this time. Although unsigned, the painting can be attributed to Savage based on engraved prints of the portrait published by Savage in 1800. The first state is inscribed “Published by E. Savage Oc. 10,1800” and the second state the inscription was changed to “Painted by E. Savage in 1800”. (See Andrew Oliver, Portraits of John and Abigail Adams; Harvard University Press, 1967, catalog #53, pp. 113-114).