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.
Mrs. Arthur Armstrong (Harriet Wentz Armstrong) and Margaret Katherine Armstrong
Description
Painting of Armstrong family woman and daughter.
Mrs. Arthur Armstrong (Harriet Wentz Armstrong), 1808-1896, and daughter (Margaret Katherine) Identity is questionable.
Bequest of Elizabeth Armstrong.
O/C of seated woman & child. Woman faces front right with head turned to front left. Dark hair center part gathered at back of head . Dark high neck black dress with white lace collar. Round black & gold broach. Buttons at center front of dress. Drop shoulder with gathers at upper arm and pouf above elbow. Arms wrap around child. Child has dark hair parted in center. Dark eyes, white loose dress, stocking & little blue slippers. Faces mother and embraces her.. Mother seated in blue chair draped with gold shawl that wraps around her left arm. Red curtain drapes from upper right to left. Brown background at right.
Frame: Wide frame with composition decoration: large shells at corners (inner border of rosettes with foliage surrounding rectangles.
Painting: Recently lined and restored, 5% inpainting.
Painting conservation needs: None.
Frame: 6" painted with shell ornaments at corners, plaque at bottom center.
Frame conservation needs: Repair compo. ornaments at corners, touchup.
Edited 2017 July 21 VAP
Good. Was conserved in 1989: tear repaired, canvas loss filled-in, painted, inpainted, relined, new frame stretcher marks visible though flattened patches visilble in raking light at center & lower center. Back is covered with foam core.
New frame: Poor condition, composition losses at corners. Patch at upper right.
