American: Artist Unknown

William Taylor (1763-1838),
Surveyor, Mapmaker and Life-long Resident of Boston

American
circa 1830-1838
Artist unknown

2 x 2 1/2 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed in a gilt metal pendant frame; engraved to reverse, "William Taylor / 1763-1838"

It was originally supposed that Mr. Taylor's portrait was painted by the little-known portrait and miniature painter Nathan Negus (1801-1825), as it shows similarities to works by him (in particular, the off-center positioning of the subject, and the use of prominent stipple). This has been discounted, however, due to the fact that Negus died in 1825. While it is certainly possible that Taylor's portrait was painted before 1825, and then re-framed (its pendant frame is clearly of the 1830s), it seems more plausible that it was painted closer to Taylor's death in 1838.

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.