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rare early 19th century miniature portrait on wood panel, attr. to Jacob Eichholtz
rare early 19th century miniature portrait on wood panel, attr. to Jacob Eichholtz
rare early 19th century miniature portrait on wood panel, attr. to Jacob Eichholtz

Early 19th-century Pennsylvania miniature portrait attributed to Jacob Eichholtz (1776–1842). The sitter is presented in profile, wearing the fashionable dress and hairstyle of the Federal period. The execution is careful and controlled, with particular attention given to the rendering of the face against a restrained ground.  Executed on wood panel and preserved in what is likely its original frame.  An uncommon and appealing example in excellent condition.  Dimensions: sight 4” x 4.75”; frame 7 1/8” x 8 7/8”.

 

Born and raised in Lancaster, PA, Eichholtz was trained as a copper and tinsmith.  In 1808 he began to segue into a career as a portrait artist, advertising that he “executed Portraits and Profile paintings”.  This rare small oil on wood panel dates to Eichholtz’s earliest period, 1808-1811, when he painted his subjects simply and in profile.

early 19th c. double silhouettes of a sister and brother. Hollow-cut, watercolor, pen & ink.
early 19th c. double silhouettes of a sister and brother. Hollow-cut, watercolor, pen & ink.
early 19th c. double silhouettes of a sister and brother. Hollow-cut, watercolor, pen & ink.
early 19th c. double silhouettes of a sister and brother. Hollow-cut, watercolor, pen & ink.

Early 19th c. Double Silhouette Portraits of Charles Bodurtha (1828) and C.C. (Cornelia) Bodurtha (1826).  Hollow-cut, watercolor, and pen and ink. The young girl wears a pink dress with ruffles on the neckline and sleeves. She is facing her brother who appears to be wearing a light blue skeleton suit. The portraits are enclosed in sawtooth borders; between the children are two birds atop two hearts. Decorative pen and ink flourishes are drawn in the corners and bottom edge.  Appears to be original black painted frame. 

 

There are several other examples of this unknown artist’s work, but this is the only one that features children.  Dimensions:  sight 7.75” x 4.75”; frame 9.25” x 6.25”.

Provenance: New England Collection; Sotheby's, New York, January 21 and 22, 2000, sale no 7420, lot 458

 

Reference:  Fall 2001 Folk Art Magazine, Silhouette; Portraiture in America by Vincent DiCicco, page 40.

Other examples:  Skinner, February 9, 2006, Lot 4, Double Hollow-cut and watercolor silhouette of a lady and gentleman with cupid and hearts;  Skinner, May, 21, 2016, Lot 92. Double Hollow-cut and Watercolor Silhouette, America, 19th century, the man and woman facing each other in a paper mat with oval cutouts and decorated with two doves and hearts in the upper center, a sailing ship in lower center, in a black frame.

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