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Sale 113
Lot 1162
(Van Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm) Original Sketch Attributed to John Trumbull. Original portrait sketch, approximately 6¾ x 5¼", executed in black ink on the front pastedown of a detached book cover, attributed to JOHN TRUMBULL (1756-1843), the American painter of Revolutionary War portraits and scenes, who also served as adjutant to George Washington. The sketch, entirely consistent with Trumbull's style, presents a chest-up view of Major General FRIEDRICH WILHELM VON STEUBEN (1730-1794), inspector general of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Trumbull signs the sketch with "J.T." at right beneath von Steuben's shoulder, adding the date "1786." At this time, Trumbull was living in Paris, sketching studies of individuals for his "Declaration of Independence" and "Surrender of Lord Cornwallis," both later purchased by Congress and displayed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Von Steuben would be among the figures depicted in the latter work, making it possible that the sketch presented here is one of those studies. Trumbull launched his career as an artist by painting miniature portraits, following advice from his mentor Benjamin West; he would execute over 250 such miniatures in his lifetime, and it is also possible that the sketch presented here may be a study for such a portrait. The composition and details of von Steuben's physical appearance, dress and decorations suggest that Trumbull may have modeled this depiction after Charles Willson Peale's well-known 1780 portrait of the general. Affixed to the bottom of the portrait is a 1" x 3¾" handwritten paper label, reading: "Gen. von Steuben by John Trumbull Gen. Washington's adjutant. Sketched on cover of War Records." A second hand has added the parenthetical notation "Dr. C. Fields," likely an early owner of the piece. The portrait shows even toning overall with soiling at upper right, not affecting the sketch, with bumped corners and a ragged edge at top where the cover was removed from the book. An old pin hole is visible at top center, and the marbled paper of the cover is still visible on the verso; very good overall. Also present with the portrait is a backing board originally used in framing the piece, bearing the label of Kennedy Galleries in New York, one of the oldest and most respected art galleries in the United States. This label also bears the number "63531" in blue ink, likely a gallery stock number. The backing also bears a copy of the information listed on the label affixed to the portrait, as well as a photocopy biographical entry on Trumbull from a French reference. Altogether a fantastic, previously unknown depiction of a significant figure in our Revolutionary history, executed by one of the preeminent portraitists of the era. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP
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| Realized $2,640 |
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