Wyllys Mansion First, Hartford
PainterAttributed to
George Francis
1790 - 1872
Datebefore 1834
MediumPainting; oil on wood panel in wood frame
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (panel height x width): 11 3/4 x 16 1/4in. (29.8 x 41.3cm)
Frame (height x width x depth): 15 x 19 1/2 x 1 1/2in. (38.1 x 49.5 x 3.8cm)
Frame (height x width x depth): 15 x 19 1/2 x 1 1/2in. (38.1 x 49.5 x 3.8cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineGift of the Heirs of Morgan B. Brainard
DescriptionA man wearing a top hat stands beneath a large leafless oak tree, holding one of the lower branches. A large white house with a porch and what appears to be a gazebo is on a low hill in the background. An evergreen tree is at the left, additional leafless trees and a barn or carriage house are on the right. A white picket fence with an ornate gate surrounds the property. A dirt road is in the foreground.
Object number1960.93.4
MarkingsOn back of frame, on gummed label, printed in black ink, "This work exhbited at the MONTCLAIR ART MUSEUM, / Montclair, New Jersey March 29-June 14, 1981 / SIMPLE PLEASURES: Objects and Images of Everyday Life, 1790-1920"On back of frame, on gummed label, printed in black ink, "Williamstown Regional Art Conservation Laboratory, Inc./ Clark Art Institute / Williamstown, MA 01267 / Artist George Francis / Title Wyllys Mansion First - Hartford / Lab. No. Caon 83-83 / Date Treated 1-84"
On backboard, on gummed label, printed in black ink, "Change of Address of / MORGAN G. BULKELEY / from 137 Washington St. / ....7 Washington St., Hartford, Conn."
On backboard, on gummed label, typed in black ink, "THE CONNECTICUT HISTORICAL SOCIETY / 'WYLLYS MANSION 1ST - Hartford' -- oil / on wood panel / Attr: George Francis / Acc. No. 1960-93-4"
InscribedOn back of wood panel,upper right, in red paint, "1960-93-4"; lower left, scratched in wood, ".... Hist Soc / 52?"
On back of frame, in red paint, "1960-93-4"
NotesDate Note: The painting is said to represent the first Wyllys Mansion, which was torn down sometime between 1827 and 1834, when the second Wyllys Mansion was built. It therefore presumably dates from sometime before 1834.
Subject Note: The large tree in the painting is the Charter Oak, which stood on the Wyllys property until it was blown down in a storm in 1856.
Title Note: The title "Wyllys Mansion First" appears on two old labels on the back of the painting.
On View
Not on view
E. W. Francis
