Loading

The sitter Joseph Anthony, Jr. (1762-1814), was Gilbert Stuart's first cousin, born in Newport, Rhode Island. He was the son of a successful sea captain, and trained as a silversmith, opening a business in Philadelphia, and eventually making the transition from craftsman to entrepreneur. He became prominent in local society and was one of the original subscribers to the Philadelphia City Dancing Assembly Fund. In 1785, he married Henrietta Hillegas, who is depicted in a pendant to this miniature WAM 38.437. These miniatures were perhaps made to celebrate the couple's betrothal and are both after oils by Stuart which today can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. Stuart worked closely with the miniaturists Walter Robinson and Benjamin Trott, both of whom painted miniatures after Stuart's portraits in oils. It is possible that this miniature is by one of these men.

Details

  • Title: Joseph Anthony Jr.
  • Creator: Gilbert Stuart (American, 1755-1828)
  • Date Created: 1794
  • External Link: For more information about this and thousands of other works of art in the Walters Art Museum collection, please visit art.thewalters.org
  • Roles: Painter: Gilbert Stuart (American, 1755-1828)
  • Provenance: Acquired by Abraham Jay Fink; by bequest to A. J. Fink Foundation Inc., Baltimore, 1963; given to Walters Art Museum, 1963.
  • Object Type: miniatures (paintings); portraits
  • Medium: watercolor on ivory
  • Inscriptions: [Signed and dated] Lower left: G.S. / 1794; [Inscription] In ink on reverse: Mr. Joseph / Anthony / G. Stuart Pinxt / 1794; [Sticker] 1
  • Dimensions: H excluding frame: 3 1/8 x W: 4 in. (7.94 x 10.16 cm); Framed H: 3 1/2 x W: 4 3/8 in. (8.89 x 11.11 cm)
  • Credit Line: Gift of the A. Jay Fink Foundation, Inc., Baltimore, in memory of Abraham Jay Fink, 1963
  • Classification: Miniatures
  • Accession Number: 38.436

Additional Items

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Flash this QR Code to get the app
Google apps