Moses Billings (American, 1809-1884)
Portrait of Two Sisters
oil on canvas, housed in a gilt frame
signed and dated '40 lower left
59 x 38 3/4 inches.

Moses Billings was a portrait painter known for his notable portraits of George Washington and John Quincy Adams. Born in Amherst, New Hampshire, he mostly lived and worked in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he died. He also spent some time in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the early 1830s, and in Washington D.C. in the mid-1840s.

Provenance:
Ex Sotheby's, New York, Lot 118, September 27, 2011. Previously descended in the family of the sitters.

In overall fine and stable condition. Craquelure present throughout, with areas of impact crackle to seated figure's hair. Light, diagonal surface abrasion to background between two figures' faces. Stretcher marks visible on all sides, with dust/grime surface. Multiple, small areas inpainting visible under UV light examination to hair, dresses, and standing figure's hand and chin, with larger areas present to curtain and upper left and throughout background. Losses, regilding, and prior reconsolidation to ornament and exterior edges throughout frame.