American: Artist Unknown

John Duryea (1789-1859) of Hempstead, Long Island,
New York, Painted in 1797, at the Age of 8

American
dated 1797
Artist Unknown -- Early American Folk School

1 5/8 x 2 1/16 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed in a double sided gilt metal locket frame
with interwoven hair of two individuals (perhaps John and his mother?) to the reverse

John Duryea was the son of Maj. Roelof Duryea (1765-1849) and Charlotte Waters (1771-1843). He was a life-long resident of Long Island, where he farmed wheat, oats and Indian corn on nearly 200 acres of farm land.

Reverse of John Duryea's Portrait Miniature,
Containing Interwoven Hair of Two Individuals

Although the artist of John Duryea's miniature portrait has not yet been identified, it is believed that he/she is the same artist that painted the portrait of the young boy featured in fig. 277 on page 235 of Dale T. Johnson's "American Portrait Miniatures in the Manney Collection".

Attribution Advice Welcomed: Do you recognize aspects of this miniature portrait that you believe should be attributed to a specific artist that we have failed to consider? If so, we welcome your thoughts and suggestions and invite you to contact us.