2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
Watercolor on paper, oval, 4”x5”, waist-length figure in profile to the left, in black coat and waistcoat with white cravat and powdered tie-wig, wearing spectacles, of EDWARD PENINGTON (1766-1834). Philadelphia sugar merchant; descended from 17th Century Quakers. Framed. VG. One of two known life portraits, the other by Gilbert Stuart (See Park, volume 2, page 582, number 621). Edward Penington and his brother Isaac were important Philadelphia businessmen. They sold a great quantity of sugar to George Washington when he lived there, as evidenced by his journals. Penington, with Charles Willson Peale, the sculptor William Rush and other artists and business leaders, founded the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine arts in 1805. The Academy was the first American art museum and school. Penington also had a major library of nearly 6000 volumes and owned a portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart. Edmund Bury attributed this painting to William Birch (Am.1755-1834) but it is also possible that it was accomplished by his son, Thomas Birch (1779-1851) who did more portraits in profile. Provenance: The Penington family by descent, Edmund Bury, Erskine Hewitt. Purchased in his sale, Parke Bernet Galleries, October 18-22, 1938, lot 1066.
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