Moses Billings (American, 1809-1884)

Portrait of Two Sisters
oil on canvas, housed in a gilt frame
signed and dated '40 lower left
59 x 38 3/4 inches.

Moses Billings was a portrait painter known for his notable portraits of George Washington and John Quincy Adams. Born in Amherst, New Hampshire, he mostly lived and worked in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he died. He also spent some time in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the early 1830s, and in Washington D.C. in the mid-1840s.

Provenance:

Ex Sotheby's, New York, Lot 118, September 27, 2011. Previously descended in the family of the sitters.

In overall fine and stable condition. Craquelure present throughout, with areas of impact crackle to seated figure's hair. Light, diagonal surface abrasion to background between two figures' faces. Stretcher marks visible on all sides, with dust/grime surface. Multiple, small areas inpainting visible under UV light examination to hair, dresses, and standing figure's hand and chin, with larger areas present to curtain and upper left and throughout background. Losses, regilding, and prior reconsolidation to ornament and exterior edges throughout frame.

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Ben Fisher

Managing Director, Furniture and Decorative Arts

[email protected]312.447.3270

Mr. Fisher rejoined the firm in 2019 after working as a specialist in the American Furniture and Folk Art department at Sotheby’s New York. His areas of expertise include 18th, 19th, and 20th century American, Continental, and English furniture, decorative and folk art. Before coming to Hindman in 2013, Mr. Fisher worked in European Furniture and Decorative Arts in Philadelphia. He began his career working for a prints dealer focusing on works from the 16th through the 20th centuries.

Leah Vogelpohl

AVP, Specialist, American Furniture, Folk, and Decorative Arts

[email protected]513.666.4960

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.

American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts

Moses Billings (American, 1809-1884)

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