James Bidwell Hosmer
SubjectPortrait of
James Bidwell Hosmer
(American, 1781 - 1879)
ArtistPainted by
Unknown
Date1795-1810
MediumMiniature; watercolor on ivory in metal frame under glass and wooden leather-covered case
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 1 5/16 x 1 1/8in. (3.3 x 2.9cm)
Frame (height x width x depth ): 1 9/16 x 1 5/16 x 1/8in. (4 x 3.3 x 0.4cm)
Other (height x width x depth of case): 2 7/16 x 2 7/16 x 11/16in. (6.2 x 6.2 x 1.8cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineGift of C. Alfred Weatherby
Object number1929.2.1
DescriptionBust-length portrait of a young man with blue eyes and long brown hair. He is wearing a dark red jacket with a white shirt, jabot, thin black cravat or stock,and yellow waistcoat. The back of the metal frame there is a scene engraved on ivory of a landscape in the foreground depicting a standing slab with the initials "J.B.H." on its face and two love birds flying above the slab. There are two crossed palms above them. The miniature is in a circular red leather covered case with satin pad and on the bottom of the case in the inside are two lockets of wound up hair underneath glass.
Label TextThe presence of the lovebirds flying over the funeral monument on the back of the frame suggest that this miniature portrait may have been a gift from James Bidwell Hosmer to his fiance, Miss Sparrowhawk. Hosmer was born on 27 September 1781 in Hartford, Connecticut, and was a successful dry goods merchant there for many years. He was actively involved in community service, serving on the boards of directors for various businesses and charitable, educational, and cultural organizations and as President and Treasurer of The Connecticut Historical Society. He died in September 1879.
NotesDate Note: The subject's clothing suggests a date range of 1795-1810 (Ozzone 4/4/2013)Status
Not on view
probably 1794
