Antique miniature portraits of the Tormey-Holder Collection

 

 


American Artist: Christopher Martin Greiner

 

 

Portrait miniature by Christopher Martin Greiner, of a Jacksonian era lady wearing a fur coat

Jacksonian Era Lady
Wearing a Fur Coat

American
circa 1840
by Christopher Martin Greiner (1809-1885)

(signed lower right edge, 'Greiner')

1 3/4 x 2 1/8 inches (sight)

watercolor on card; housed under glass in a gilt
metal case with a cast foliate border and bail

 

About the Artist: There has been much confusion over the years about the origins and history of Christopher Martin Greiner. He is mistakenly referred to by some as Christian Greiner; and, universally, he is mistakenly said to have died in 1864 (he actually died 21 years later, in 1885). Research reveals that Christopher Greiner was born in 1809, in the German city of Stuttgart, in what was then the Kingdom of Württemberg. In 1835, at the age of 26, he emigrated to America with his his extended family (which included his older brother Ludwig, the toymaker of early American fame most remembered for his creation of the "Greiner Doll"), and settled in Philadelphia. The first evidence of his work as a painter in Philadelphia dates to 1837, when he was employed as a miniature painter by George Washington Reed, a Philadelphia silversmith, jeweler and watchmaker who hired Greiner to paint miniature portraits for his well-to-do customers. Within four years, however, he had branched out on his own, as evidenced by advertisements in Philadelphia newspapers from November 1841 that bore Greiner's name alone. Though most well known for his miniature portraits in watercolor on ivory, he also painted full-sized portraits in oil on canvas as well as portraits and decorative scenes in enamel on porcelain. He exhibited at the Franklin Institute in 1842 and 1843. He last advertised in Philadelphia newspapers in 1849, but is known to have remained active as a painter, until at least 1864. He died in Philadelphia on July 21, 1885, at the age of 76. Known to have works in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington, D.C.), and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia). Listed by Blättel (pages 412, 413), Bolton (page 76) and Fielding (page 373).

 

  Click here to read a more in-depth article on the life and times of Christopher Martin Greiner.

 

 

Other portraits in the Tormey-Holder Collection by Christopher Martin Greiner
(click photos for larger views and additional information):

 

Portrait miniature by Christopher Martin Greiner, of a Jacksonian Era gentleman identified as Mr. Harrington

Jacksonian Era Gentleman,
Identified as "Mr. Harrington"

 

 

Portrait miniature by Christopher Martin Greiner, of a Jacksonian Era lady wearing a lace shawl and gold jewelry

Jacksonian Era Lady Wearing a Lace Shawl,
Gold Jewelry and a Pocket Watch

 

 

Portrait miniature by Christopher Martin Greiner, of a Jacksonian era American gentleman

Jacksonian Era Gentleman

 

 

Portrait miniature by Christopher Martin Greiner, of an unknown Jacksonian era American gentleman

Jacksonian Era Gentleman

 

 

Jacksonian Era Gentleman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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