Rembrandt Peale 1778-1860

Colonel Henry Nicols (acquired directly from the artist)
Rebecca Nicols Gittings, 1829 (goddaughter of Colonel Nicols)
Henry Gittings (eldest son of the former)
George Hawkins Williams, Baltimore
Alan C. Smith III, Baltimore (by descent from the former)

Colonel Henry Nicols (1746-1831), a prominent citizen of Maryland's eastern shore, was known for his great refinement and gracious hospitality.  He commissioned Gilbert Stuart to paint his portrait sometime around 1810.  Sometime after, he commissioned Rembrandt Peale to copy it for him.  In his will, dated 1829 and probated upon his death in 1831, he left this painting to his niece Rebecca Nicols Gittings and referred to it as "a Copy portrait picture of myself, which I lately had taken by Rembrant Peale, from the original by Stewart (sic). 
Xerox copies of various letters and documents which relate to the provenance of this painting (including Colonel Nicols' will) are available with the department.