Sketch by Lloyd Mifflin (and Thomas Moran?), "The Bridge at Wrightsville". Gray flecked paper has pencil sketch of landscape with river and bridge in distance. Mounted with homemade window mat of dark gray with line borders around window.
Kraft paper backing has "Wrightsville Bridge" in ink at top right and pencil inscriptions at center reading "acid free linen mat barrier and backing used herein - another Mifflin sketch on back of existing sketch-"
Provenance
Presumed to be inherited from Lloyd Mifflin by the Minich sisters
Thin, w/ molded plaster? foliate decoration on wood, painted black over original gold
Image Size
5 x 7 inches
Object Name
Drawing
Material
Paper
Medium
Drawing
Height (in)
5
Width (in)
7
Dimension Details
Image size. Frame H: 10.625 inches x W: 13.625 inches.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2015-01-27
Condition Notes
Bottom right corner of sketch missing. Old glass in a plaster-molded thin wood frame is painted flat black over original gold. Multiple paint chips. Backing paper perforated especially at top and left side.
Landscape, The Barns at Norwood, by Lloyd Mifflin, circa 1900. Oil on board with gold-painted floral-and-wheat -decorated flat frame w/ corner blocks.
Reverse is covered with grey-painted linen and is protected by Plexiglas. Central paper sticker reads "RUSSELL'S / CANVAS BOARD / " and "PATENTED MARCH 18, 1879." The number "120" is handwritten in ink in corner of sticker. At upper right is taped a magazine clipping depicting outbuildings and fencing surrounded by grass and trees. Entitled "Farm Scene - Autumn." A few lines follow, noting his (Mifflin?) return from abroad" and the pleasure of enjoying the "sheltered pastoral environment of his choice." A poem follows. Finally, a small paper sticker near top reads "RICHMAN / Bainbridge / Pa. 17502 / (717) 426-1860 / Cat: / P86 / 054-32-1198 / 181-32-7788". Written in marker in large letters at bottom right is "Local Scene / Norwood, Pennsylvania / near / Columbia, Pa. - About 1900 / (1846-1921)." Below this, In pencil, is "Painted by / Lloyd Mifflin / artist. Houston Mifflin, M.D. / Brother."
Provenance
Apparently purchased by Richman from the Minich sisters estate sale.
Flat profile wooden frame with raised corner blocks having gold-painted wheat, daisies and carnations.
Image Size
16 x 22 inches
Object Name
Painting
Material
Paint, Canvas, Wood
Medium
Painting, Oil
Height (in)
21.5
Width (in)
27.5
Dimension Details
Frame dimension is H: 21.5 inches x W: 27.5 inches.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-03-30
Condition Notes
Overall good condition, both painting and frame. On reverse of board are water stains. Glass covers board & secured with primitive wood strips.
Frame has multiple cracks, especially at miter joint at corner blocks.
Object ID
2015.017.1
Notes
The son of John Houston Mifflin, Lloyd followed in his father's footsteps. He also studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, studying under Thomas Moran, and would further his studies with a trip to Europe. He returned to settle in Columbia in 1873. Lloyd has gained greater recognition than his father, primarily due to his landscapes, particularly those of the areas surrounding his home in Columbia and scenes of the Susquhanna River. Lloyd Mifflin died in 1921.
Painting, St. Jerome, European. Oil on canvas on board. Portrait is of bearded, bald, older man with upturned head and rapturous expression, eyes turned heavenward.
Glossy varnish over oil; canvas adhered to oak panel. Mounted in gold-painted, early, molded pine frame, likely older than painting. Wood liner, painted copper, allows painting to fit frame.
Contrived arrangement of strips on reverse mounts and secures board. Split oak panel has two thin walnut strips epoxied across back for support.
Old paper sticker printed "11" pasted to upper left corner of back. Upper right corner has old newsclipping pasted and covered with plastic strip. Article titled "Mifflin Paintings Sold at Sale" notes estate sale of Grace Minich estate in Columbis. Handwritten at top is "8 JULY 1967."
Provenance
Owned by Mifflin and hung in his home. Brought back from Europe by J. H. Mifflin. Apparently inherited by Grace Minich and sold among approx. 35 turn-of-the-century paintings, July 8, 1967."
Gold painted molded pine frame with painted wood liner.
Object Name
Painting
Material
Canvas
Medium
Painting, Oil
Height (in)
14.75
Width (in)
12.5
Dimension Details
Frame size is H: 23 inches x W: 19 inches.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2015-01-27
Condition Notes
Oil on cavas has bubbles and other raised points; some areas of abrasion. Panel split top to bottom with cupping. Wood strips epoxied to back for support. Board has white in pores. Recent wood strips contrived to hold board.
Gold paint on frame is flaking with multiple losses. Upper corners and lower rail all have gesso losses.
Object ID
2015.017.2
Notes
St. Jerome was one of the scholars of the early church. Born around 347, he later translated much of the Bible into Latin, called the Vulgate.
Framed etching of "Fountain Green," the "country seat of John Mifflin, who died A.D. 1799." (Identification written on front and back of drawing as well as paper attached to wood "Little Dutch" cigar box lid backer.) "Note" written in pencil on back of drawing. Pencil writing traced over in ink says: "Country Seat of John Mifflin. Died 1799. / Drawn in India ink by/ J. Houston Mifflin from Nature./ The pencil note on other side below/ picture is by my great uncle---/ Lloyd Mifflin, Sr./ (signed) Lloyd Mifflin/ Columbia, PA/ Sep.11.1890/ I traced the pencil with ink/ see over L.M"
On paper glued to back of cigar box lid, printed in ink: "Country Seat of John Mifflin/ who died 1700./The pencil note on the other side in ink/ below the picture is in the hand of my Great-Uncle Lloyd Mifflin (S.R.)/ Dec. 1902 Lloyd MIfflin (signature)/ Norwood/
This picture was drawn in India Ink from nature by my father J. Houston Mifflin while/ a youth. "Found Green" is now part of/ "Fairmount Park" - Philada. PA. --on the East bank of / The Schuykill River. L.M."
Wood frame. Clear glass pinned by wood strips on all four sides. Art work and backer held in place by small nails bent over. Eyebolt screwed horizontally into top piece of frame for hanging.
Foxing and stains on the drawing. Soiled around edges. Glass edges dirty. Three frame miters loose as well as glass, print and backer. Open to dust. Paper piece and wood backer touching and both are acidic.
(Piece of acid free board placed between art piece and backer on 08/29/2018.)
Case with push button clasp covered in red embossed floral pattern with ornate gold border design. Interior lined in green velvet. 4-inch long oval plaster scene of cherubs dancing in a circle. Sleeping dog in foreground.
