Charles Balthazar Julien Fevret de Saint-Mémin (1770 - 1852)

Each by descent from the sitter to Emlen Etting (1869-1905);
Robert Carlen Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Reuben Etting-
Washington, D.C., Daughter's of the American Revolution Museum, The Jewish Community in Early America: 1654 - 1830, December 10, 1980 - March 31, 1981;
Philadelphia, Museum of American Jewish History, A Philadelphia Sampler: Art and Artifacts from Jewish Collections, March 1, 1981 - January 3, 1982, no. 207. 

Robert Carlen Gallery Advertisement, Magazine Antiques, vol. 69, February 1956, p. 122;
Hannah R. London, "The Saint-Memin Portraits of Solomon and Reuben Etting," The Magazine Antiques, vol. 76, July 1959, pp. 54-55;
Ellen G. Miles, Saint-Memin and the Neoclassical Portrait in America, (Washington, D.C.: National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian Institution Press, 1994), p. 299, no. 309 and 310.
Reuben Etting -
Cipora O. Schwartz, An American Jewish Odyssey: American Religious Freedom and The Nathan Barnert Memorial Temple, (Newark, New Jersey: KTAV Publishing House, Inc., 2007), p. 2. 

Ruben's portrait has some small stain and some breaks and tears on the extreme right hand side of the portrait. In original frame and black eglomise matte, with remains of paper label inscribed in 19th century hand, 'Ruben Etting my grandfather by St Memin'. There is some exfoliation of the black glass matte. Solomon's portrait some minor stains, a tear across the extreme top, and a long vertical tear on the extreme left hand border of the portrait. There is some exfoliation of the black glass matte.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Solomon Etting (1764–1847) was a merchant and politician of Jewish faith in Baltimore, Maryland. Before moving to Baltimore in 1791, Etting lived in York and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Etting followed another Jewish immigrant, Jacob Henry, in the endeavor to attain public office. North Carolina denied public office to all non-Protestants, when in 1809, Henry made a speech which became famous, asserting his inalienable right to sit in the state’s House of Commons, and the House took his part. Henry asked, "Will you drive from your shores and from the shelter of your constitution all who do not lay their oblations on the same altar, observe the same ritual, and subscribe to the same dogmas? If so, which among the various sects into which we are divided shall be the favored one?"

Reuben Etting (1762-1848) chose a military career and was commissioned (1798) first captain of the Independent Blues. In 1801 he was appointed United States marshal for Maryland by Thomas Jefferson.