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
Miniature Portrait of William Frazer, son of Judge Frazer in large gold frame. William was a lieutenant in the 3rd Artillery in the US Army in Seminole war. died in Lancaster in 1844. The original of this protrait was painted in 1842 by John Henry Brown and exhibited in 1912. This is a copy of that painting, painted by the same artist in 1844.
Another Miniature of William Clark Frazer was donated in 1976 by Virginia Moore Burk Dwight. See object files for 1976.999
Painting: Framed under glass, charcoal enhanced photograph, laid down on cotton stretcher, Poor/Fair condition, water stained throughout, surface loss at corners, insect damage.
Painting conservation needs: Remove from frame, surface clean, reback with acid free materials, refit with spacer using UVF glass.
Frame: Poor/Fair, compo. loss throughout, 3" ornate gold.
