The Three Sisters
Oil on canvas
Signed lower-right ‘Plummer’
Enclosed in a contemporary giltwood frame
Edwin Plummer (America, 1802-1880) was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, the eldest son of Daniel Plummer (1780-1857). His father invented a machine that cut teeth for hair combs which might explain why coiffeur is a noticeable element in Edwin's work. He painted mainly profile portraits in oil and watercolour, with members of his family being amongst his early sitters. His early works are painted in a naive and stylized way. His later portraits are more classical and sophisticated. In 1806 Edwin and his family lived in Beverly, Massachusetts. Here he attended the Lancaster School. In 1821 he is recorded as living in Boston and by the mid 1820s in Rhode Island. In 1829 he lived in Portland, Maine where he established a shoe business. In 1830 he married Anna Penfield (1805-1876). In 1831 the couple returned to Lancaster. By 1833 they were resident in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In 1837 he is recorded as practising his art at 34, School St., Boston, and by 1845 he was living at Cover St. where he was involved in real estate. In 1859 he moved to Chelsea, Massachusetts where he remained for the rest of his life.

Dimensions:13 x 17 inches (33 x 43 cm.)