**Originally Listed At $1200**

United States, oil on canvas, early to mid 19th century. An unsigned bust-length portrait of a dark-haired woman wearing a white, gauzy cap with a floral motif at the center over her curly brunette locks, a Neoclassical gold hoop earring decorated with a hemispheric motif - this style inspired by a traditional Roman design, and a sheer white collar leading to her navy blue bodice. The sitter looks out from the canvas with bright brown eyes, neatly manicured brows, an aquiline nose, pursed pink lips, and a rosy complexion. The painting is set in a charming antique frame (possibly repainted) and has its original stretchers. Size of painting: 24" L x 20" W (61 cm x 50.8 cm) Size of frame: 26.75" L x 22.75" W (67.9 cm x 57.8 cm)

On the verso is a John Gordon Gallery label. John Gordon was a famous collector of Americana and maintained a gallery on West 57th Street in Manhattan for many years. Raised in Philadelphia, he attended the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art. Gordon enlisted in the Signal Corps of the Army just after Pearl Harbor, taught art to soldiers at a camp in Missouri, and also created murals while serving. Following World War II, Gordon taught art classes at the Philadelphia Museum.

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Inza Lee Fort collection, Arkansas, USA

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#161968

Painting shows expected age wear with some waviness to the canvas, faint impressions of stretcher marks, and nice areas of craquelure. Canvas has darkened a bit, but the image is still vivid. There is a John Gordon Gallery label on the verso. The stretchers are original. The frame is antique and may be original as well. Normal wear to the frame with a few scuffs as shown. Wired for suspension.