Thomas Sully

(South Carolina/Pennsylvania/England, 1783-1872) Pair of exceptional portraits. US Navy Captain John Gwinn and his wife Marry of Maryland. Exceptionally rendered examples of the young couple by one of America's most revered portrait artists. Captain Gwinn (1791-1849) was a veterain of the War of 1812 and was a POW after the British captured his ship Frolic. He later went on to command the ship Vandalia and most notably Captained the Ship USS Constitution. Guinn would eventually take the great ship to transport Pope Pius IX and King Ferdanand II to the United States. This would be the first time any Pope stepped foot in the United States. H24 1/2" W20 1/2" The two portraits offered here have extensive documentation and were featured in the publication Life Works of Sully by Edward Biddle. Sold from the collection of a private Southern gentleman diplomat.
Condition Report: Each painting having been professionally conserved and re-lined. Blacklight photographs provided to show some areas of in-paint. Very nicely cradled on the backside.