Louise Schafer Cone (American, 1889-1968). Portrait of Young Woman of the Lee Family - oil on canvas, ca. early 20th century. A large-scale, historical portrait of a Nancy Fletcher Short who was the grandmother of Louise Short Lee who had Louise Cone, a portraitist of prominent figures of the American South, paint this portrait of her beloved grandmother. The half-length portrait presents the subject looking directly out at the viewer with both hands placed before her. Her proud visage is comprised of deeply-set blue eyes, arched brows, an aquiline nose, blush pink heart-shaped lips, and a peachy complexion. Her dark brunette hair is parted in a slightly off-center part and tucked beneath a scarf or cap, and she wears a colorful plaid dress with a white lace collar adorned by a gemstone brooch, a belt to accentuate her waist, large gold hoop earrings, and a gold wedding band gracing her left hand. Size: 29.375" L x 22.75" W (74.6 cm x 57.8 cm); 36.375" L x 29.375" W (92.4 cm x 74.6 cm) framed
The painting is set in an attractive, gilt wood frame that suits it beautifully.

Louise Schaefer Cone was born and spent most of her life in Birmingham, Alabama. She studied with Edna Smith, George Elmer Browne, and Roderick MacKenzie. In addition, she studied in New York with Wayman Adams, Frank Vincent Dumond, and George Bridgman. Ms. Cone was a member of the New York Art League, the Southern States Art League, as well as the Birmingham Art Club. Although proficient in portraiture, still lifes, and landscapes, she is best known for her portraits of prominent figures of the American South, many of which hang in museums and government buildings. During her lifetime, she received several awards for her oils and pastel compositions.

This painting is accompanied by a statement written by Inza Lee Fort who is a living descendant of Robert E. Lee. In her statement, Inza Lee Fort describes the family's relationship to the artist Louise Schaefer Cone and states that the subject is Nancy Fletcher Short, the grandmother of Louise Short Lee who had Louise Cone paint this portrait of her beloved grandmother. She states, "Many have remarked that Nancy's eyes seem to follow them in the room." She also describes the family history. Robert E. Lee was a great, great, great grandson of Colonel Richard Lee and his wife Anna who were the first of the Lee family line in America who came to America in the 1640s and settled in York County, Virginia. Robert E. Lee is an uncle to Inza Lee Fort's branch of the family tree.

Inza Lee Fort's description of the family's relationship to the artist Louise Schafer Cone is as follows, "My aunt, Louise Short Lee, was a friend and sometimes model for some of Louise Cone's paintings. After marrying into the Lee family, Aunt Louise asked Louise Cone to paint several of the Lee family members. Portraits that my aunt and uncle had were passed to my mother after they died. These portraits were then passed to me and my sister after my mother died."

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Inza Lee Fort collection, Arkansas, USA - Ms. Fort is formerly of Alabama, USA and a descendant of General Robert E. Lee (1807-1870).

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#161977

Craquelure especially to background. Age wear to frame with chips and scuffs to peripheries. Tears to gallery paper on verso. Wired for suspension.