Painted portrait of John Pearsol by Arthur Armstrong. Seated man faces slightly right. Dark hair parted on his right. Clean shaven except for fringe beard. Grey blue eyes. Black coat, black waistcoat, white shirt, and black bowtie. Reddish chair back visible at left. Dark brown background with blue and pale red at right of arm. Canvas mounted onto masonite. Small envelope pasted to bottom center inscribed "John. H. Pearsol." Paper tape on joint of maosnite and frame.
Cnavs: extensive craquelure Varnish somewhat darkened. Two tiny areas of paint loss at lower left.
Frame streaks of dark brush marks. minor gesso chipping.
Object ID
2013.006.2
Notes
Label:
John H. Pearsol and Cecilia Pearsol
Arthur Armstrong, circa 1847
John H. Pearsol (1818-1887) was a well-known printer for many years in Lancaster County. He was also a reformer. During America's Age of Reform, Pearsol dedicated his life to the Temperance Movement, a widespread, organized campaign aimed at regulating and even prohibiting the consumption of alcohol.
Portrait of Mrs. John Pearsol by Arthur Armstrong. Seated woman facing slightly left. Dark brownhair parted twice, gathered at back of head. Blue grey eyes. Light colored pleated dress with horizontal stripes, lace collar and v neckline. Large rectangluar brooch at neck. long gold chain leads to watch at waist. reddish chair at right side. Dark background. Small empty envelope pasted to bottom of background reads: "cecilia Ober Pearsol/(Mrs. John H.)" Two paper stickers at top right read; " Mister Cochran/ Shand--gen 63 III/Tel. 610651"
Overall condition is fair to good. canvas apparently mounted on masonite. Extensive craquelure. Top third of background overpainted with dark, matte paint; poorly colormatched. Varnish has darkened. possible small patches at lower left.
Frame: fair condition. blotchy gold overpaint. some gesso losses.
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
