American Artist: Elkanah Tisdale

Federalist Era American Lady
Holding a Baby in Her Arms

American
circa 1798-1800
by Elkanah Tisdale (1768-1835)

3 5/16 inches diameter

watercolor on ivory; pictured here unframed

When acquired for the collection, this portrait miniature was housed in the frame pictured below: a wood and gesso reproduction of a Federalist Era pressed metal frame (4 1/2 x 6 1/8 inches in size with an oval shaped aperture measuring 2 3/4 x 3 7/16 inches). It is not known how long the portrait had been framed in this manner. It is assumed that it was originally housed in a period frame with a round (not oval-shaped) aperture that was better fitted to the portrait.

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

Early Nineteenth Century American Gentleman