Historic Americana
Peale Museum Silhouette Portrait of Dr. George Cuthbert
June 15, 1825-Dated, Peale’s Museum Hollow-Cut Silhouette Identified Portrait of Dr. George Cuthbert, by Edward Williams Clay, Choice Very Fine.
This evenly toned and well preserved Silhouette Portrait is cut from white paper set against a black background. The central figure is identified by a pencil inscription made by the artist below the Portrait reading: “Dr. Geo. Cuthbert - 15 June 1825.” The white paper from which the silhouette is cut is embossed with “Peale’s Museum.” It measures 5” x 3.75” (not examined out of the frame) within its current black frame (probably dating to the 1920’s), which measures fully 7.25” x 5.5”. Written on the reverse of its backing card in pencil at bottom is the name Theodore Bolton. Also on the back, at the top, in pen is written: “Property of Miss Mary Clay Bolton - Mechanics and Metals Bank - 204 Fifth Avenue, New York City.” The frame of this portrait had been re-backed sometime in the early to mid-1900’s, by S. Friedman’s Frame Shop in New York City, its label covering the Mary Bolton inscription. Dr. George Cuthbert graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in the class of 1820.