GILBERT STUART (1745-1828)
Commodore Joseph Wilson U.S.N. (1788-1875)
Oil on combed gessoed wood panel, circa 1812
26 1/2 x 22 1/2 inches

ILSON served on a number of illustrious American Navy vessels including the Argus, the Savannah, the Guerriere, and the Lexington. He is shown here as a young naval lieutenant. The portrait descended in the Wilson family through his granddaughter, Mrs. Edward D. Gardiner of Boston. The last private owner was John Dorrance of Philadelphia.

This portrait was painted on a wood panel (subsequently cradled) the surface of which was prepared to Stuart's specifications with a diagonally combed gesso ground. This approximated the feel of twilled linen, Stuart's preferred painting surface, which was unavailable in America during the period of the War of 1812. Stuart portraits painted on similar panels include Major General Henry Dearborn and the aged Paul Revere.

SOLD

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