Charles William Eldridge
SubjectPortrait of
Charles William Eldridge
(1811 - 1883)
PainterAttributed to
Charles William Eldridge
(1811 - 1883)
Dateabout 1835
MediumMiniature; watercolor on ivory under glass in wooden case with leather covering
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width ): 3 x 2 5/16in. (7.6 x 5.8cm)
Other (height x width x depth of case): 3 11/16 x 3 1/8 x 9/16in. (9.4 x 8 x 1.5cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineGift of Mrs. William H. Bulkeley
Object number1965.46.1
DescriptionBust-length portrait of a young man with brown hair. He is wearing a black stock with a white shirt, brown waistcoat, and brown jacket. He has a gold ring on his right hand and is holding a locket with a chain containing a portrait miniature. A small paint brush and palette are to his right. He is sitting in a black and red chair. A column and red drapery with golden tassels are behind him. In the background a ship under a blue sky is visible. The miniature is in a wooden case with black leather covering and red velvet pad. The black leather has a gilt decorative design with scrollwork on the center front of the case.
Label TextThis portrait of a miniature painter with his paint brush, palette, and a cased miniature painting is a self portrait of Charles William Eldridge. Eldridge was born in New London, Connecticut, later moving to New York City to study under and eventually build a miniature-portrait firm with Thomas H. Parker. Even after their partnership dissolved due to Parker's illness, Eldridge continued to paint until he faced problems with his eyesight and competition from the popularity of photography.
NotesDate Note: The subject's clothing and life dates suggest a date range of 1830-1840. (Ozzone 3/29/2013)Medium Note: Cases of this sort were manufactured usually for housing daguerreotypes. Charles William Eldridge often used them for his miniatures (Ozzone 4/3/2013)
Status
Not on view
