Stormy scene; water in foreground, land to center, back and left. Norman Castle is on top of cliffs. Two smaller buildings at shore level below castle. Wrecked ship against cliffs. Four smaller figures on cliff. Sea is rough with high waves.
'Chepstow (Beaufort Arms; George), a town with 2,953 inhabitants, on the west bank of the Wye, is a station on the G.W.R. and a good centre for excursions.
Inscription Type
Paper Tag
Frame
H: 49.50 inches x W: 63.25 inches. Rococo Revival gilt wood and gesso
Object Name
Painting
Material
Paint/Canvas/Wood
Medium
Painting, Oil
Height (in)
49.5
Width (in)
63.25
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2003-10-21
Condition Notes
Paint is cracking in areas
Object ID
W.1950.003.001
Notes
Text Found on Reverse of Painting- 'Chepstow (Beaufort Arms; George), a town with 2,953 inhabitants, on the west bank of the Wye, is a station on the G.W.R. and a good centre for excursions.
Miniature portrait of Hiram B. Swarr by J. Henry Brown. Oval image of Swarr is surrounded by a red velvet oval contained in a rectangular gold-colored plaster frame. Portrait is held into place by two pins. Portrait is of a man in a white shirt and black coat, with bow tie; curly brown hair, beard with no moustache; eyeglasses. Part of a set with 2021.029.002 (Frances O. Swarr). typed label on back identifies subject and artist. Framed by Wunderly Brothers, Pittsburgh.
John Henry Brown's career began in Philadelphia in 1845, where he painted most of his sitters. Brown often preferred to take daguerreotypes of his sitters and use those as guides for his miniatures, rather than having the person sit for him. He claimed it was easier to work from a small image than from a life-size model. (Smithsonian)
Provenance
Part of a collection of 109 letters, documents and 3 clippings saved by Hiram B. Swarr, Attorney & Co-Executor for the estate of James Buchanan.
