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American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts
|
- Sale 1130
Live
| Cincinnati
Mar 30 | 10:00 AM EDT
Live
| Cincinnati
Sale 1130
| Cincinnati
| Cincinnati
Estimate$1,500 – $2,500
Little is currently known about the life and career of the Kentucky artist Richard Crump. Genealogical records from Bedford County, Virginia identify a Richard Crump (one of several) born in 1804, while noted art historian and scholar of southern portraiture Estill Curtis Pennington gives Crump’s life dates as circa 1816 – after 1852 in his discussion of Crump’s portrait of The Morris Family (circa 1840) in the collection of the Speed Museum (see Kentucky: The Master Painters from the Frontier Era to the Great Depression, Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 2008). However, it is well documented that Crump established himself as a portrait artist in Louisville as early as 1836, when his studio was listed on the east side of 3rd Street between Main and Market. His residence was listed at that time as on 1st Street between Green and Walnut. Crump moved several times over the next decade but continued to be listed as an artist and portrait painter in Louisville until at least 1852. Following the death of his first wife, Rebecca, from tuberculosis in 1841, Crump seems to have remarried, as he is recorded in the census of 1850 as living in Louisville’s Ward 8 with a wife, Elizabeth, and six children. The 1860 census lists Elizabeth and three non-adult children, but not Crump himself.
Framed: 36 1/2 x 31 1/2 inches.
Both in overall stable condition, with minor deposits of surface dirt and dust. Old but stable craquelure present throughout portrait of the gentleman, with visible areas of inpainting to fill cracks throughout hair and to center background. Stretcher marks present to perimeter. Canvas has been edge lined with tacking strips, with patch visible to verso of original canvas (approx. 6 1/2 x 6 inches). Portrait of the lady with extensive craquelure throughout, with repaired tear visible to canvas near left armpit. Canvas has also been edge lined, with two patches visible to verso of original: one measures approx. 3 x 5 inches, applied to area with visible tear, and the second measures approx. 9 x 9 inches, applied to upper corner.
Glue from relining visible to both under UV light examination, with significant areas of inpainting also present. Affected areas within the gentleman's portrait include his hand and upper corner of the newspaper, as well as his hair, few areas of his face, and scattered areas throughout the background. Affected areas within the lady's portrait include her dress (particularly near repaired tear), forehead, and proper left cheek.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
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Ms. Howe joined the firm in 2012 working as a specialist in the American and European Furniture and Decorative Arts department as well as the Modern and Contemporary Art and Design department.
Previously, Ms. Howe served as Associate Curator of Decorative Arts at the Cincinnati Art Museum, where she curated exhibitions focusing on American and European furniture, silver, glass and ceramics. Additionally, she was an instructor of Art History at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, an independent consultant to museums and a lecturer on decorative arts. Ms. Howe’s research and publications have focused on late 19th- and early 20th-century decorative arts and design, in particular, on Cincinnati Arts and Crafts metalwork and furniture. Ms. Howe served as editor and contributing author of the book Cincinnati Art-Carved Furniture and Interiors. She received a BA from the University of Cincinnati and an MA in Art History from the University of Minnesota.
Leah Vogelpohl
AVP, Specialist, American Furniture, Folk, and Decorative Arts
Ms. Vogelpohl joined the firm in 2013 as a cataloger in the American and European Furniture and Decorative Arts department. She became a department specialist in 2017, focusing on American decorative arts and silver. She received a BA from the College of Charleston and an MLITT in Art History from the University of Glasgow.
