Attributed to John Wesley Jarvis (British, 1781)
Attributed to John Wesley Jarvis (British, 1781-1840, active Louisiana, 1821-1834), "Elizabeth Jarvis Child (1782-1853)" and "Lewis Child (1781-1829)", 2 oils on canvas, both unsigned, typewritten label with sitters' information and remnant label attached to backing boards, 20 1/8 in. x 16 in., framed alike, overall 23 5 /8 in. x 18 5/8 in. x 1 5/8 in. Note: Born in England in 1781, John Wesley Jarvis’ family moved and settled in Philadelphia in the mid-1780’s. Around 1796 he started an apprenticeship under Edward Savage and moved with Savage to New York in 1801. A year later Jarvis set out on his own as an engraver and miniature and portrait painter, eventually becoming the leading portraitist in New York City between 1800 and 1820. Though he considered his home to be New York, Jarvis traveled and had extended residencies in Charleston, Baltimore, and New Orleans among other cities. At the peak of his success in 1814, he was commissioned to paint a series of portraits of military heroes from the War of 1812 for New York City Hall, a job he took over from Gilbert Stuart after Stuart had disagreements with the patrons of the project. Jarvis was known for his ostentatious style, consumption of alcohol and recklessness with his finances. In the early 1820’s he suffered a debilitating stroke while in New Orleans that left him partially paralyzed, and he spent the remainder of his life with his widowed sister Elizabeth Jarvis Child (1782-1830) in New York until he died in 1840.The pair of paintings presented here are of his sister and later caretaker, Elizabeth and her husband Lewis Child (1781-1829). They are likely preparatory sketches by Jarvis who completed at least one other more detailed portrait of his sister that is conserved in collection of the Princeton University Art Museum. These works, executed with looser brushstrokes and with visible graphite outlines, serve as fascinating glimpses into the famed portraitist’s creative process, and the sensitivity with which he renders the kind dignity and soft features of his sister perhaps reflect the fondness he had for the sibling who would take care of him in the last years of his life.
Condition Report: If Condition is NOT stated in the description of the lot, the absence of a condition report does not indicate the lot is free of damage or condition issues. Available Condition Reports will appear as an additional image. Condition Reports and photographs may be requested on items until the Wednesday prior to the auction. Bid accordingly. All sales are final, no returns are accepted on the basis of condition.
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Attributed to John Wesley Jarvis (British, 1781-1840, active Louisiana, 1821-1834), "Elizabeth Jarvis Child (1782-1853)" and "Lewis Child (1781-1829)", 2 oils on canvas, both unsigned, typewritten label with sitters' information and remnant label attached to backing boards, 20 1/8 in. x 16 in., framed alike, overall 23 5 /8 in. x 18 5/8 in. x 1 5/8 in. Note: Born in England in 1781, John Wesley Jarvis’ family moved and settled in Philadelphia in the mid-1780’s. Around 1796 he started an apprenticeship under Edward Savage and moved with Savage to New York in 1801. A year later Jarvis set out on his own as an engraver and miniature and portrait painter, eventually becoming the leading portraitist in New York City between 1800 and 1820. Though he considered his home to be New York, Jarvis traveled and had extended residencies in Charleston, Baltimore, and New Orleans among other cities. At the peak of his success in 1814, he was commissioned to paint a series of portraits of military heroes from the War of 1812 for New York City Hall, a job he took over from Gilbert Stuart after Stuart had disagreements with the patrons of the project. Jarvis was known for his ostentatious style, consumption of alcohol and recklessness with his finances. In the early 1820’s he suffered a debilitating stroke while in New Orleans that left him partially paralyzed, and he spent the remainder of his life with his widowed sister Elizabeth Jarvis Child (1782-1830) in New York until he died in 1840.The pair of paintings presented here are of his sister and later caretaker, Elizabeth and her husband Lewis Child (1781-1829). They are likely preparatory sketches by Jarvis who completed at least one other more detailed portrait of his sister that is conserved in collection of the Princeton University Art Museum. These works, executed with looser brushstrokes and with visible graphite outlines, serve as fascinating glimpses into the famed portraitist’s creative process, and the sensitivity with which he renders the kind dignity and soft features of his sister perhaps reflect the fondness he had for the sibling who would take care of him in the last years of his life.
Condition Report: If Condition is NOT stated in the description of the lot, the absence of a condition report does not indicate the lot is free of damage or condition issues. Available Condition Reports will appear as an additional image. Condition Reports and photographs may be requested on items until the Wednesday prior to the auction. Bid accordingly. All sales are final, no returns are accepted on the basis of condition.
