John Mare: Portrait of a Gentleman

Sitter is a young man in typical 18th C. clothing, posed in a Chippendale chair.  Label on the verso reads, “The Reverend William …kins …Keane, New Hampshire.”  Extensive research has not yet yielded any further information on the sitter.

Although unsigned, this portrait has been absolutely authenticated in writing as a John Mare portrait by Helen Burr Smith, leading authority on the artist.  See The Magazine ANTIQUES, “Collectors’ Notes,” November, 1970; and “A Portrait by John Mare Identified,” June 1973, for articles by Ms. Smith.  The portrait has been registered and photo recorded with the Henry Francis duPont Winterthur Museum, The National Portrait Gallery, and The Frisk Art Reference Library.

Oil on canvas, 30″ x 35″, in non-original frame.  In excellent condition, relined many years ago, lightly cleaned, and revarnished.