Watercolor portrait of James Buchanan in profile, facing left. He wears a black coat and waistcoat, pale tan shirt with high, very white collar, and soft tie or cravat. His white hair is styled high at the crown and combed back on the sides. Very pale blue eye. Delicate grey and tan washes over background. Portrait is an 8.75in x 6.75in oval created by reverse painted glass. The glass is painted black with gold semi ellipses and diamonds arranged to create a sunburst like effect. The glass is 10in x 8in.
The reverse is inscribed "James Buchanan drawn from life at Wheatland February 10th 1866." Inscription is under a 10.75in x 8.75in piece of glass that has been built into the back of the frame. Some damage has occured from nails scratching the back of the frame upon hanging.
The frame is 3in wide, painted gold in alternating bands of shiny cool toned gold and matte or brushed warm toned gold. Losses around the edges reveal plaster, ochre and black or dark grey paint under the gold. Top edge of the frame is black either from paint or dirt.
Provenance
Descended in an Eastern Shore, Maryland family, purchased in 1948.
overall dimensions provided. See description for component dimensions.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-05-11
Condition Notes
loss of gold paint on outer edge of frame. Dents and chips on frame. Discoloration on gold frame, possibly from tape or stickers. Loss of paint on glass at left side and upper right corner.
O/C portrait of artist's wife, Harriet Wentz Armstrong. Sitter facing slight left, face forward, brown to black hair parted at middle. Brown eyes, long gold earrings, long gold lariat necklace with gold piece at neck, curls on lap. White sheer lace neckercheif. Pinned at neck with black and gold brooch. Black pleated long-sleeved dress with drop shoulders and heavily boned bodice. White, sheer handkercheif held at lap. Sitting on red upholstered armchair. Background has various browns.
"A. Armstrong/ Artist [?] Lancaster, Pa." is stencilled on middle of back of canvas.
Provenance
Ptgs. owned by Hovey Gleason as of 1975. Owned by Dr. Irwin Richman in 1980s at the time he wrote Armstrong article for Magazine Antiques. Purchased by P. Sullivan from Conestoga Auction of Hess Auction Group a year or two ago. Seller states he cannot find receipt & ptgs. were an anonymous consignment to auction.
Seller states pair of ptgs. were restored in April 2017 by Jeff Rouse of Pittsburgh. To receive a treatment report would have cost extra, so it was declined, hence we have no record. Rouse now has a significant illness and is has closed his business.
Canvas over board. Condition is very good. Left edge, shoulder height and below has 5 dark discolorations, upper left corner has 2.5in color stripe, upper right corner background has light paint loss on raised granulations. Slight paint loss across nose to left eye. Dark spot of infill at right, under ear, on neckerchief. Dark varnish drip on cheek to left of nose. Frame: gold paint over gilding.
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
Oil on canvas. sitter facing slightly left, face nearly full forward. WIhite upright collar, black stock/cravat, black hihg =, bold collar, black coat. Brass plaque on frame reads "Arthur Armstrong/ 1798-1851/painted by himself." Stencil on back: "A. Armstrong artist." Stretcher is mostise and tenon with keys (2 missing) Back uncovered; painting secured with mending plates.
Painting condition: Fair, previously lined, some minor paint loss, heavy crackliture, minor paint loss on nose and cheeks and background lower left
Painting repair: face painting, reline, remove varnish and revarnish, minor inpaint
Frame condition: Painted gold frame
Frame repair: none needed
(eta, 08/08/2017, VAP) waxy surface on back extensive craquelure stretcher lines about 1.5in from frame edges. Ear lobe paint color somewhat inconsistent. Alligatored micro-craquelure. Vertical paint loss along frame edge ar lower left. Small dark spots around upper right, one at left side of head.
Name written in cursive in ink on back of canvas is smeared: "(first two names illegible) Lipp." Appears to be Henry Gottlieb Lipp (1825-1920). He would have been
On sticker: for Lanc. Hist Society Lola D. Violet Lipp (or probably daughter Ida V. Lipp, b. 1856 d. 1930)
Stenciled on back canvas: "A. Armstrong / Artist" and written in ink below is "1850."
Oil on canvas portrait of man facing slight right with face toward front. dark ear length heair, heavy eyebrows, sluish grey eyes. Black coat and waistcoat, black neckwear with bowtie ans hite shirt with upturned collar. Gold watch chain attached to waistcoat butto hole. hands o lap, left hand holds book. Seated in wooden chair with red upholstery. Blue drapery upper left corner. Sunrise or sunset over a river at right side. No frame.
Provenance
Owned by Lola D. Violet Lipp (or probably daughter Ida V. Lipp, b. 1856 d. 1930)
(eta, 08/08/2017, VAP) Dark with heavy grime, puncture with paint loss as well as two heavy dents with paint loss at upper left wear and paint loss concentrated along side edges. Loose canvas. No frame.
Object ID
1930.007.1
Notes
Henry G. Lipp (10 Jan 1825 - 20 Aug 1920) was born in Wurttemburg, Germany and came to America at age 13. He died in Lancaster. He was a tinsmith in Lancaster City for 55 yrs.
He was one of the original stockholders in the Hamilton Watch Company and covered half the roof over the first factory. He was married to Margaret E. Dietrich. His obit. (in file) notes two daughters survived him: Ida V. Lipp, at home, and Mrs. J.D. Shields (Alice) of Harrisburg.
On tag: James Armstrong Sr., father of Arthur Armstrong
Oil on canvas portrait of man facing slightly right. Dark brown hair and sideburns, gray eyes, black coat and waistcoat, wide white neckwear, white shirt with upright collar. Right hand holds a letter. Red upholstered chair at back left. Dark background with craggy hills and evergreens in front. Vertical seam at center of canvas back. Brass plaque reads: "james Armstrong, Sr./DIED Nov. 4, 1831/Father of the Artist." Frame: 4.75in wide molded profile, gilded.
Frame condition: Poor, gold, bottom rail split horizontally, minor compo loss throughout, on plaque: James Armstrong died November 4, 1831 by A. Armstrong
(VAP 08/03/2017 eta) Dark with grime. may dents occured from back. Tear with puncture on waistcoat collar. Paint loss in extreme upper right corner and another loss about 4in below and left of corner. Large half inch area of paint loss at bottom center and another on sitter's thumb. Frame: soiled with worn gilding and dark areas. Separated miter joints. Heavy longitudinal crack across frame bottome. Multiple gesso chips at outside edges. Tow L-shped mending plates at bottom miter joints on back. Strips of foamboard and matboard stapled to sides of stretcher. Canvas secured with mending plates.
