Pair Of Mid-19th Century American School Folk Art Portraits

A charming and characterful pair of mid-19th-century American School folk art portraits, depicting a lady and gentleman, almost certainly husband and wife. Circa 1840s. These are finely executed in watercolour and bodycolour on paper.

These exude period charm, the portraits showcase wonderful attention to detail in costume and setting:

The Lady: Seated before a draped blue curtain on a red upholstered fainting couch, dressed in a dark gown with a lace collar and a lace-trimmed bonnet with pink ribbons, holding a handkerchief in her lap.

The Gentleman: Seated on a wooden chair, sharply attired in a black coat, light waistcoat, white collared shirt, and a vibrant cobalt blue cravat, complete with a gold pocket watch chain. The back of the gentleman’s wooden backing board retains an intriguing contemporary pencil inscription reading: 'Col. Carter / Republican Army'. This identifies the gentleman as Colonel Carter, adding a fascinating layer of American provenance and narrative appeal to the pair.

Condition: Very good original condition, small amount of faint foxing. Both works are presented in matching ebonised frames featuring gilt slip inner borders and brass hanging rings to the top, ready to display.

Frames: Height 30.5 cm x Width 26 cm. Pictures: Height 22cm x Width 18cm.

Col. Carter / Republican Army Historical Context & Provenance: In 19th-century America, 'Carter' was a prominent surname across Virginia, Tennessee, and the wider American South and Midwest. The inscription identifies the sitter as Colonel Carter.

The 'Republican Army' inscription provides a fascinating historical shorthand. In the context of mid-19th-century North America (specifically around the Civil War period), 'Republican Army' was occasionally used informally by contemporary writers, foreign observers, or northern sympathisers to refer to the Union Army, led by Abraham Lincoln’s newly formed Republican administration.

Date of manufacture : 19th century