Description:
Attributed to William Thompson Bartoll (Marblehead, Massachusetts, 1817-1859)
Portrait of a Child Wearing a Blue Dress, Holding a Tinware Toy Pump. Unsigned. Oil on canvas, reportedly depicting Elizabeth Snow of Marblehead, Massachusetts, c. 1840, 44 3/4 x 37 3/4 in., in a period molded giltwood frame; accompanied by a transfer-decorated, red-painted, toy tinware pump. Condition: Relined, very minor retouch.
Note: William Thompson Bartoll was a portrait and mural painter residing in Marblehead, Massachusetts. He exhibited at the Boston Athenaeum between 1841 and 1855.
The portrait is also accompanied by a letter of correspondence from a previous owner of the portrait to the director of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Collection in Williamsburg, Virginia. She is inquiring as to the value of her portrait which she states is: "of a little girl, Elizabeth Snow of Marblehead. She is wearing a blue dress with white eyelet trimming white pantalets, black shoes- and is holding a red toy pump...I have had several inquiries about this portrait-including 3 well-known Boston galleries and a New York one, but my problem is no one wishes to make an offer, but want me to set a price."
Estimate $6,000-8,000
Condition: Relined, very minor retouch a few small sparse spots on fohead and cheeks, approx. 1 1/2 in. dia. to background c.r.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.