19th Century Portrait of Gentleman Oval Frame Antique

Description

RARE FIND! This is a truly remarkable Antique 19th Century Oil on Canvas Portrait of a Gentleman from world-famous 19th … more RARE FIND! This is a truly remarkable Antique 19th Century Oil on Canvas Portrait of a Gentleman from world-famous 19th Century New York Portrait artist, William Oliver Stone (1830-1875). His works are currently held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Walters Art Museum, and The National Academy Museum. His portraits NEVER hit the secondary market because they are mostly held by museums and not in private collections.
Stone was a student of Nathaniel Jocelyn and those influences are very clear. He was hugely popular among New York society families and was considered "one of the most able portrait painters in the country" at the time.

This stunning portrait is an excellent example of Stone's skill in the genre. It is oil on an oval canvas -- the bars of which still have their original handmade nails from the 19th century. There appears to be a very old restoration above the right shoulder of the subject that was very well done at the time, and there is a very small chip in the varnish in one spot. The original very heavy solid wood frame had some heavy damage to the corners so we have had that repaired. We have also replaced the velvet liner and set it under museum glass for the highest level of protection. Signed "W.O. Stone" on the back of the oval frame in pencil as shown. Just a tremendous antique.

Provenance/Certification: This came from a private collection of a very prominent San Diego collector who acquired it from a Los Angeles gallery approximately 7-10 years ago. Our gallery Certificate of Authenticity with provenance included.

Condition: Excellent. Painting appears to have a very old repair above the right shoulder. One barely-distinguishable chip in the varnish. Newly restored original frame has handmade nails from the 19th Century. Gold-leaf wood frame. Museum glass. Incredible!

Measurements: Painting is approx 11.5"x9" and it is approx 22"x20" framed.

Shipping: This is a very old and delicate piece and it will be shipped with great care. Professional packing, double-box, insurance, and direct signature.

About the Artist: Stone was born in Derby, Connecticut, to a prominent family. He studied under Nathaniel Jocelyn in New Haven from 1848, until Jocelyn's studio suffered a catastrophic fire in 1849. Stone moved to New York in 1851, where he opened his own studio, and became a successful portrait painter, especially popular with society families. He became an associate member of the National Academy of Design in 1856, and full member in 1859. From that time on, “he was acknowledged to be one of the most able portrait painters in the country, and particularly in New York; no collection was considered complete without having one or more of his heads in it” (Art Journal I [Nov. 1875], p. 349). In addition, he seems to have preferred a cabinet-size canvas, frequently oval.

Prolific throughout his career, Stone exhibited yearly at the National Academy of Design from 1861 to 1875, sending nine portraits to the exhibition in 1866. Stone died in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1875. Two of his better-known portraits are of Cyrus West Field (in a private collection) and of William Wilson Corcoran (in the Walters Art Museum). His portrait of Mary Cadwalader Rawle, done in 1868, is currently held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (American Paintings, p. 316) less