Lot 862
  • 862

Robert Street (1796 - 1865)

Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Robert Street
  • A Handsome Young Architect and his Wife
  • Both signed and dated 1837
  • oil on canvas
  • Each: 30 by 25 in.
signed and dated R. Street, 1835 on architect's portrait l.l.; he holds a rolled document of construction plans; in the background is a scene of a building being built. 

Condition

There are cobwebs of in-painting in both subjects faces; scattered in-paint in the background and heavy varnish. Re-stretched on what appears to be the original stretchers, relined.
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

Robert Street was born in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. His grandfather, John Street, was an English immigrant. His family was wealthy, but he was mistakenly omitted from his father's will and did not receive the inheritance that was due him as the eldest son. His fourth son, also named John, was Robert's father. Little is known about the artist's early training; his first entry into the art community was his exhibition of The Wood Gatherer at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1815. He continued to exhibit at the Academy until 1861. The staples of his career became the half length portraits for which he is known today, although he also painted historical genres and landscapes. A large exhibit of his work (over two hundred paintings) was held in November, 1840 at the Artists' Fund Hall in Philadelphia and included more than fifty paintings by "deceased or old masters" from his collection. One of his most notable portraits was that of General Andrew Jackson painted in 1824 which hung in the White House for some time. Street also exhibited at the Artists' Fund Hall until 1845, at the Franklin Institute (1847 and 1851), and at the Apollo Association in New York (1838-39.) Portraits by Street are in numerous collections including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Street married three times (1821, 1849, 1861) and fathered six children; four sons also became artists: Rubens Corregio, Austin del Sarto, Theophilus, and Claude Lorraine. Schwarz Gallery (http://www.schwarzgallery.com/artist/282/Robert-Street)