Property from a Private Collection, Savannah, GA

Description:

William H. Scarborough (SC/TN, 1812-1871), Portrait of Col Edgar Welles Charles (1801-1876) and his Wife Jane Gray Charles, Oil on Canvas, unsigned but descended in the family of Col. Edgar Welles Charles. Charles married Jane Gray on October 11th, 1842. Charles is depicted in his military uniform and sword with red drapery swags in the background in a period giltwood frame. Frame size: 36 1/2 in. x 31 in. Jane Gray Charles depicted in elaborate gray and blue dress, with coral shawl and ring holding a book and seated in a mahogany and gilt chair, in a period giltwood frame. Frame size: 36 1/2 in. x 21 in.

In the 1830's Scarborough painted portraits of Charleston Society and in 1839 moved to the nearby Darlington District. There "Scarborough found a patron in Col Edgar Welles Charles and he painted many members of the colonel's family. Through his friendship with the Charles family, Scarborough met many influential people from the District and was able to obtain enough commissions to live very comfortably. Scarborough's career escalated, however, once he moved to Columbia, South Carolina in 1843. There he painted the most prominent members of South Carolina society, including governors and high ranking military officials. The following thirty year period marks the pinnacle of Scarborough's career and most of his well known works were painted during this time. William H. Scarborugh died in Columbia in 1871 at the age of 58." (Source: The Johnson Collection).

Measurements: Height: by sight of both 28 1/2 in. x Width: 23 in.

Good restored condition, inpainting in hair, forehead, eye socket, around lips, epaulet, red drapery background, background in lower left quadrant, white areas in hair and forehead are surface abrasions, possibly relined (back not accessible). Jane Gray Charles in good restored condition with minor inpainting to face, repaired tear by buckle, perhaps other small repaired tear in arm near elbow, some inpainting in folds of shawl, relined.