American Artist: Philippe R. Vallée
Early Nineteenth Century American Lady
American
circa 1805
Attributed to Philippe R. Vallée (fl. 1803-1812)
2 x 2 1/2 inches (sight)
watercolor and gouache on ivory; housed under glass in a gilded copper surround
that is set within a gutta-percha frame with a floral pattern in relief
A view of the portrait outside of its frame, allowing the
colors and brush strokes to be seen more clearly without
the distortion caused by the protective glass lens of the frame
(Click + symbol above for an enlarged view)
About the Artist: Philippe R. Vallée was born circa 1777 in Saint-Domingue, on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola (the island that is today comprised of both Haiti and the Dominican Republic). He studied under François-André Vincent at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in Paris. First recorded in America in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1803. Relocated to New Orleans by 1810. Served in the Louisiana militia during the war of 1812, during which time he painted a miniature portrait of General Andrew Jackson, who would years later become the 7th President of the United States. Often confused with Jean François Vallée, also a French immigrant, who painted miniatures of lesser quality and also painted silhouettes. (Philippe R. Vallée's portrait of General Jackson, in particular, is often erroneously attributed to Jean François Vallée.) Listed by Barratt and Zabar (page 67), Blättel (pages 906, 907) and Lemoine-Bouchard (page 495).
Other portraits in the Tormey-Holder Collection attributed to Philippe R. Vallée
(click photos for larger views and additional information):
Early Nineteenth Century American Gentleman
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