Several years after Ballen had painted Uncle John's portrait for West Point, many contemporaries claimed was not a good likeness. Ballen then spent some time at West Point and after examining many photographs and having a new sketch of the features of head submitted to our family and approved by them as well as by many contemporaries of Uncle John, he made this master sketch and changed the portrait to conform to it. Uncle R. bought it from him.
This picture was taken in 1913. I paid 7 dollars 34 cents for it. I was 15 years & 3 months old when I enlisted in the year 1864 at which time it was first taken at Carlisle, Penna. John L. Hackman.
Oscar Hackman gave it to me Sarah E. Warner, Nov. 6, 1957. Oscar is 89 years old now [and in] April 1958 he will be 90 years. One son and one daughter of John and Sarah Hackman had. Oscar is John's son, Lizzie Stiner, sister of Oscar, [is] 85 years old 1957.
I was named after John's wife Sarah Elizabeth Neissinger Hackman. My grandma was Sarah's sister, Fiona Neissinger Hollinger. Oscar is the last of [the] family of Hackmans. I am on the Hollinger-Neissinger side of family. Great Aunt Sarah (?), Oscar's mother __ __ is also the discharge of 1865 of John L. Hackman here ___ time 1957.
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
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.
Waist-up portrait of James Buchanan, Jr. with brown hair combed back and brushed forward at ear. Wearing dark brown coat, white vest with gold buttons, olive green/aqua tie with gold stick pin with ruby head. The portrait is mounted in a Regency caveto moulded gilt gesso frame with beaded border with projecting corners ornately adorned scrolling foliage patterns with fleur-de-lis patterns. James Buchanan, Jr. was the Private Secretary to the President of the United States.
Provenance
Edward Y. Buchanan
to Maria Buchanan Cassatt
to her granddaughter, Katherine S. de Spoelberch (the donor, Mrs. Eric) grand-niece of James Buchanan, Jr.
A Regency caveto moulded gilt gesso frame with beaded border with projecting corners ornately adorned scrolling foliage patterns with fleur-de-lis patterns.
Object Name
Painting
Material
Paint/Canvas/Wood
Height (in)
36.875
Width (in)
32
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2003-10-20
Object ID
W.1945.002.001
Notes
James Buchanan, Jr. was the first born child to Reverend Edward Young Buchanan and Ann Eliza Foster Buchanan. He served as the Private Secretary to President James Buchanan, his uncle, after his cousin, James Buchanan Henry resigned the position in 1859.
