Lot 297
  • 297

Attributed to Mary Way or Betsy Way Champlain

Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 USD
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Description

  • Mary Way or Betsy Way Champlain
  • Miniature Full-Length Portrait of Theodosia Burr Alston (1783-1813)
  • Silk and lace applique with pencil and cut paper on black silk ground
  • 4 by 3 in.

Exhibited

New York City, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Art: From American Collections, March 6 – April 28, 1963;
Traveling Exhibition, The Pulse of the People: New Jersey 1763-1789, Trenton, New Jersey, New Jersey State Museum; Newark, New Jersey, The New Jersey Historical Society, January 17, 1976 – June 16, 1976; 
Traveling Exhibition, Small Folk: A Celebration of Childhood in America, New York, Museum of American Folk Art, New York Historical Society; St. Louis, Missouri, First Street Forum; Tokyo, Japan, The Ginza Gallery; Osaka, Japan, The Hankyu Gallery, December 11, 1980 - July 1981, no. 56.

Literature

James Biddle, American Art: From American Collections, (New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1963), p. 110, no. 244;
Suzanne Corlette [et al], Pulse of the People: New Jersey 1763-1789, (Trenton, New Jersey: New Jersey State Museum, 1976), p. 187, cat. no. 312; 
Sandra Brandt and Elissa Cushman, Small Folk: A Celebration of Childhood in America, (New York, E.P. Dutton: 1980), p. 39, no. 56.

Condition

Overall fine condition. Retains a paper label to the reverse from the Small Folk exhibition at the Folk Art Museum. Discoloration to the index finger and thumb on her left hand. Minor losses to the eglomise backing.
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.

Catalogue Note

The brilliant daughter of Aaron Burr, Theodosia was the recipient of an intensive education rigorously supervised by her father.  Her curriculum included the harp, piano, riding, dancing, French, Greek, and Latin.  Theodosia tragically died at twenty-nine, when her ship was sunk at sea (see Sandra Brandt and Elissa Cushman, Small Folk: A Celebration of Childhood in America, (New York, E.P. Dutton: 1980), p. 3).