Silhouette

Title:

James H. Whitcomb / a cutter of himself

Object Name:

Silhouette

Creator:

Whitcomb, James Hosley (1806-1849)

Date:

1831

Material:

Paper
Textile

Dimensions:

H-3.75 W-3.75 inches

Description:

Silhouette, self-portrait by James Hosley Whitcomb (1806-1849), 1831. Hollow-cut silhouette of a man in profile to left. Cut paper with hair and clothing details in watercolor or inkwash. Backed with black textile. Wearing a black coat, black stock, white shirt with high collar, and a waistcoat with wavy design. Bottom edge has curvilinear design with convex notch. Signed on front in ink by the artist: "Aged 24. 1831" upper center, and lower center, "James H. Whitcomb / a cutter of himself". Backing board with Withington auction sticker, Greenaway Collection, #17. Gilded gesso over flat-profile wood frame; glazed.

Provenance:

Purchased at auction of the Emerson Greenaway estate. NHHS had bid on it in 1977 at estate auction of Priscilla Hammond, but Mr. Greenaway was higher bidder. NHHS did, however, acquire the silhouette of Whitcomb's sister at that auction.

Subjects:

Whitcomb, James H., Siblings

People:

Whitcomb, James Hosley

Place of Origin:

Hancock, NH

Collection Name:

Inventory

Item Number:

1990.059

Accession Number:

1990.059

Type of Material:

Objects

Copyright Statement:

For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the New Hampshire Historical Society

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Purchase

Participating Organization:

New Hampshire Historical Society