$4,113
American School, 19th Century Two Portraits: Joseph Kneeland and Ruth Hartwell. Unsigned. Oil on canvas, c. 1840, depicting the seated figures, each with one arm resting on an arm of the chair, 28 5/8 x 24 x 3/4 in., mounted in appropriate period tiger maple frames. Condition: Tear u.r. on portrait of Joseph, craquelure. Provenance: By family descent of the consignor. Note: The portraits originate from New Hampshire. Both sitters are descendants of well documented Salem, Massachusetts, historical figures, Francis Nurse, Rebecca Town and Mary Tarbell. Ruth Hartwell , the woman portrayed here is the great-granddaughter of Rebecca Nurse who was accused of, convicted, and executed for witchcraft in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2005-06-05