Bama Planter

I'm thinking that someone in the 1850's saw a print -  such as those by Currier or Kellogg  - and tried their hand at painting a copy. It's primitive and the corners need fixed but you can see the grain painting on the frame. A theme such as fishing is always a winner.  It measures 30" by 22" so it's large enough to make a good showing. 

 This young lady is presented in an oil on canvas, 25 x 30, in a heavy gold frame. I call her Lady with a Blue Scarf.  I purchased her from a New York auction house last week.   I think the absence of jewelry, except for the pin on the necklace, sets her apart from most portraits of this time. Plus, the blue scarf seems to be an important accessory to her plain black dress.   There are no identifying marks on the back ( not unusual),  and there are no tears in the canvas.  The painting has been varnished, and the varnish has cracked over time, giving her a mystical, almost out of focus appearance. 

  This is an oil on canvas of little Charles Munro.   Yes, little boys wore outfits that looked like dresses then.   The back of the painting has August 1843 and Age 4 years.  Do you think the bird is supposed to be a chicken?   Hands were quickly painting but do look like those of a child.  You can see the brown ink identification at the bottom. Blue eyes and rosy cheeks on a round face. There are about 20 little boys on the 1850 census who have his name and age.