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American Artist: George W. Newcombe
Jacksonian Era Gentleman
Painted in New York City
American
dated 1838
by George W. Newcombe (1799-circa 1845)
(signed obverse, left edge, "Newcombe";
additionally signed on backing paper to the reverse,
"G. W. Newcombe / 297 1/2 B'way / New York / 1838")
1 7/8 x 2 3/8 inches (sight)
watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt
copper case with a cast foliate border and bail
A view of the backing paper affixed to the reverse of the
portrait, upon which the artist inscribed in graphite,
"G. W. Newcombe / 297 1/2 B'way / New York / 1838"
(Click + symbol above for an enlarged view)
About the Artist: George W. Newcombe was born in Portsmouth, England in 1799. From the age of 14, he studied drawing and miniature painting under an artist by th name of West (believed to be William West; ca. 1793-1861), after which he studied in Brighton under a miniature painter by the name of Frith (identity unknown). In 1822, at the age of 23, he was accepted to study at the Royal Academy of Arts, but only took two courses before embarking on a period of itinerant travel seeking painting commissions throughout England, Scotland and Ireland. He later exhibited works at the Royal Academy in the years 1825-1828. In 1829, he emigrated to America, settling in New York City. There, from 1829 to 1844, he exhibited a total of 40 works at the National Academy of Design. He was made an associate member of the Academy in 1832. He died in New York City, in 1845, at the age of 46, of a sudden and catastrophic stroke. Listed by Blättel (pages 688-689), Bolton (page 31), Foskett (page 606), and Groce & Wallace (page 469).
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