Portrait of William Williams
Oil on canvas
American school, mid-19th century, apparently a posthumous portrait of William Williams (1731-1811), signatory of the Declaration of Independence on behalf of the state of Connecticut, as a man towards the end of his life, in a burl wood frame, with conservator's notes describing the painting's 1996 restoration and some elements that were apparent beforehand, as well as a transparency recreating the initials 'PBF' that were faintly inscribed on original stretcher, and three slides showing the painting before treatment, one illustrating the stamp of canvas maker Edward Dechaux (active New York, ca. 1836-60) that was originally on the back of the canvas
h. 39 w. 23-1/2 in.
overall: 32 x 27 in. (frame)
Provenance: By repute, purchased from a descendant of the sitter; Private collector, Scarsdale, NY

William Williams (1731-1811) was a signatory of the Declaration of Independence

Relined and restored