This Friday's "Passed"portrait painter is Joseph Whiting Stock (1815-1855). He was only 40 when he died, but accomplished a great number of paintings in that time. Joseph took painting lessons and learned to paint from a student of one of the "leading American painters of the time, Chester Harding." (1) Although the subjects of his portraits didn't have the depth or show the skill of Chester Harding, Joseph did quite well filling the walls of 19th century homes. He kept a journal that documented his earnings. In one profitable year of his fourteen years of painting, he earned $740 in a nine-month period. He did this by having "painted to order 37 portraits and 18 miniatures besides several landscapes, etc." (1) Not sure if Joseph's tax man would approve of his unitemized way of record keeping.
He charged his clients according to how large a painting was and how many subjects would be in the portrait. Thirty by twenty-five inches seems to have been the most popular size, and was about $6.00! Here is an example of a larger portrait he painted of relatives: John and Louisa Stock.
My interpretation of Joseph's portrait of another brother and sister is in the upper right. I've named mine Charles and Olivia and no, it's not $6.00! (...but, if you are interested, I'd be happy to pay for shipping and insurance...I'm painting more portraits and could use the wall space!).
(1) Treasures of American Folk Art from The Abbey Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center
by Beatrix T. Rumford and Carolyn J. Weekley © 1989
~Have a great weekend!~
9 comments:
Wonderful painting Suzanne, & I love reading about your Past PainterS!!
I love how you've framed your gorgeous painting! As always, I enjoyed learning about another new to me artist!
Manuela
I love reading about past painters, and wouldn't he be amazed at what one of his paintings would sell for today! It's hard to imagine selling anything we would make for $6.00!! LOL!
Amazingly wonderful!! You're so talented, Suzanne!
I love hearing the history, also.
Pat
Back Porch Musings
That is a lovely paiting, Suz. Of course, they all are but still.
Beautiful Suzanne ~ they always are!
Lana
I like his work very much---it is sad how he died so young. I had a good laugh at the taxman comment, too. :)
I think that I like your interpretation of his work even more! Beautiful and sweet painting.
Andrea
Charles and Olivia are beautiful. The framing is so fitting. I love to be educated by you about these painters of the past, thanks so much for doing the research and then sharing it with us.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend with your family, Suzanne.
Lidy
Thank you for the art History lesson, Suzanne:o)!
Post a Comment