3/4 profile bust portrait of "James Sproul of Octoraro . 1781 -1847 ." Subject's face towards viewer. See notes for additional information regarding date of gift and donor.
According to the "Papers Read Before the Lancaster County Historical Society, February 1, 1907, Minutes of the February meeting:
The following donations to the Society were announced by the Librarian: A large frame photograph of James Sproul, once a prominent citizen and iron master on the Octoraro Creek, below Christiana, donated by his grandson, Hon. W. C. Sproul, of Chester Pa.
The presentation of the Sproul portrait was made by Dr. J. W. Houston, who accompanied it by an address of considerable length, in which the career of Dr. Sproul was sketched, showing him to have been a man of mark in the earlier period of the county's history.
William Cameron Sproul (September 16, 1870 – March 21, 1928) was the 27th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1919 to 1923. He also served as a state senator from 1896 until his election as governor in 1919.
James Buchanan shown from waist up, sitting in red upholstered chair. Wearing black suit, white shirt and white bow tie, high collar. Eyes looking right and body turned to left. Right hands holds document-may be the constitution. See notes for letter rem
Provenance
William McMaster
To - Mrs. C.E. McMaster (wife of)
To - Edward Y. Buchanan (1/1892)
To - Mrs. Eric DelSpoelberch (great-granddaughter of E. Buchanan)
Painting is very dirty; requires cleaning 05/31/2023
Gesso & wood frame is damaged in several areas requires conservation.
Object ID
W.1945.001.001
Notes
The following original letter is in the accession folder. Letter from back of Painting: ' Phila. Jan. 1892 - This is the original portrait of James Buchanan painted by Wm. E. MacMaster of New York in July 1856, by personal sittings given him during his stay at Wheatland.
Painting of girl with lamb. Gilt frame with ogee molding on outer and inner edge. Corners have applied molding. Picture is multi-colored and shows a young girl with golden -brown hair in curls, black head band, peach and blue flowers also in hair, blue eyes. Subject is Saint Agnes, the patron saint of children and the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality.
Charlottesville Seminary, Albany, NY [According to Wikipedia, Charlotteville Seminary (1850-1875) was in Charlotteville, Schoharie County, New York.]
Portrait of the Reverend Dr. John Williamson Nevin mounted in an oval walnut ca. 1850 American Scoop Sully frame. The print of the portrait is signed by the artist, Julius Augustus Beck, the son of schoolmaster, John Beck of Lititz, PA. The photographer was either John D. Lemer or his brother, LeRue with whom John shared a studio as early as 1869, at 206 Market St., Harrisburg, PA; however, John also owned a studio at 1215 N. Third from 1887 to 1895..
Oil painting on canvas landscape painting, depicting a dense forest in the foreground with a calm lake behind and cloudy sky. Frames in a heavy, highly ornate Rococo revival gilt frame. Signature 'H D Martin' in red paint.
Dimensions given are for painting not including frame.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-01-31
Condition Notes
Painting needs cleaning; surface is very dirty and there is crazing of paint.
Object ID
W.1989.109.001
Notes
Homer Dodge Martin was born in Albany, NY in 1836. A pupil, for a short time, of William Hart, his earlier work, similar to this painting, was closely aligned with the Hudson River School. During the 1860s he spent the summers in the Adirondacks, Catskills and White Mountains, and painted landscapes from his sketches.
An oil on canvas portrait of Dr. Alexander Speer (1790-1854) by artist, Antoine Gibert. Dr. Speer was a first cousin to James Buchanan on his mother's side of the family. Dr. Speer is turned facing one-quarter turn to his right and is wearing a black suit coat and vest with a white shirt, turned down collar and a black cravat. The portrait is framed in a French reverse cove gilded frame with a raised foliate motif
Framed oil painting on canvas. 'Two Men Fishing From Rowboat.' Men in rowboat in foreground, mountains and trees in the background. Plain, gold-colored frame.
Oil on canvas. woman seated facing slightly to right wiht head facing more forward. Left arm draped over chair back. Brown hair parted at center, wearing low crowned cap with elaborate bows and lace coering ears to neck. Gray green eyes. Black pleated dress with stiffening around waist, v-neckline with embroidery or lace collar. Wrapped in soft grey shawl with left hand exposed. Low backed chair is reddish. Background is various browns. Stencil on back: 'A. Armstrong/Artist/ Lancaster, Pa." "1845" painted below stencil. Frame: wooden with multiple stepped profile on molding. Gilded.
Extensive craquelure. Raised stretcher line. Sagging canvas top left and left side. Scattered dark spots across right 2/3. Frame: good overall with worn gilding and inpainting and soil. Minor chips at outside edges. Back uncovered. Mortise and tenon stretcher with keys; some missing or replaced. At left bottom miter joint, a strip of gesso crack filler is loose and pressing against canvas.
Object ID
2009.020.1
Credit
Given in Memory of Marsha Sener Schuyler by Janet Godfrey Alspach and Gretchen Godfrey
