American Artist: Anson Dickinson

Early Nineteenth Century American Couple
of New Haven, Connecticut

American
dated 1811 (inscribed in graphite to reverse)
by Anson Dickinson (1779-1852)

each 2 1/2 x 3 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a hinged, leather traveling case (the two sides of which have become separated due to wear) with velvet surrounds; photographed without the glass lenses in place so as to allow a clearer view of the portraits

This rare pair of miniature portraits came from an auction lot containing family items from the Collins and Clark families, both of New Haven, Connecticut. Also included in the lot (but not acquired for this collection) were a New Testament bible belonging to Roxana Phelps Clark (1803-1892), and an early American school box, dated 1829, belonging to Mary Ann Collins (1816-1838).

We learn from Dickinson's log book that, over a period of years, he painted several members of the Collins and Clark families, including a Mr. Collins and a Mrs. Clark (both painted in 1811), Roxana Phelps Clark (Mrs. Samuel Penfield Bolles, painted in 1829) and Roxana's mother, Roxana Clark née Phelps (painted in 1835). It is supposed that the above miniature portraits might be the Mr. Collins and Mrs. Clark, painted by Dickinson in 1811, as an inscription to the reverse of the lady reads "both of these were taken 1811". Research has yet to reveal their exact identities, however.

Other portraits in the Tormey-Holder Collection by Anson Dickinson
(click photo for larger view and additional information):

Jacksonian Era Gentleman

Early Nineteenth Century American Lady

Elderly, Early Nineteenth Century American Lady
Wearing a Ruffled Bonnet and a Dark Colored Shawl

Early American Gentleman, Identified as
'M. W. Potter', Depicted in Profile View

Jacksonian Era Boy in Formal Attire