Bidspirit auction | William Matthew Prior, 1806-1873, Portrait

William Matthew Prior, 1806-1873, Portrait of Harriet S. Pierce, Age 16, Oil on Artist Board - William Matthew Prior 1806-1873 Portrait of Harriet S. Pierce, Age 16 Oil on Artist Board With letter from Jeffrey Tillou Antiques. Sight: 16 x 12 in. (40.6 x 30.5 cm.), Frame: 25 1/4 x 21 1/2 in. (64.1 x 54.6 cm.) (b Bath, ME, 1806; d Boston, 1873) American Painter. William Prior is most well known for his portraits, though he did also execute some landscapes and experimented with painting on glass. In the early years of his career he traveled from town to town around New England in search of commissions; often compensated only with room and board. He specialized in stylized, flat portraits, especially of children. Though he was capable of more naturalistic, painterly works, most of his paintings are done in this abstract and flattened style because they could be executed more quickly and thus offered to patrons at lower cost. He advertised in the ”Maine Inquirer” in 1831 that ”persons who wished a flat picture can have a likeness whithout shade or shadow at one-quarter price”. It is believed that Prior would often travel with partially completed templates onto which he would then add the sitter’s likeness and some identifying attributes. In 1841 Prior settled permanently in Boston, where he remained to the end of his very successful career. Condition: Overall good condition. Frame and backboards appear original. Not examined out of frame, heavily secured beneath removable backboards by tape and numerous framing points. UV light shows some re-touching at top and bottom due to frame abrasion. Thank you for your interest in our upcoming sale. Please be aware that all property is sold ‘as is’ and should be viewed in person or by a professional before the sale to fully assess the condition. This condition report has been prepared as a courtesy by Nye & Company specialists and should not be viewed as a substitute for physical examination by you and/or your professional advisor. Nye & Company specialists are not trained restorers/conservators, and the report is not as detailed as a comprehensive report that would be created by a professional advisor. We will do our best to make reliable observations on the work, which we hope will be helpful to you, we strongly recommend you enlist the help of a professional advisor to prepare a more complete report. While we try to photograph items as accurately as possible, please note that digital photography and images, especially when viewed through computer screens, may present colors that differ slightly from the colors of the object when viewed in person. We also wish to respectfully remind you that the Nye & Company warranties pertaining to the property are limited and set forth in our Conditions of Sale and do not extend to condition. PLEASE NOTE THAT AS OF JANUARY 1ST 2023 THE NYE & COMPANY BUYER’S PREMIUM HAS BEEN RAISED FROM 23% TO 25%. Condition reports are not provided in catalog descriptions. The absence of a condition report does not guarantee that the lot is in good condition or free from damage and wear. We encourage you to request a condition report and/or additional photos prior to bidding on any lot. We also recommend asking for a shipping quote before bidding. CASH, CASHIER CHECK, MONEY ORDER, AND WIRE TRANSFER ARE THE ONLY METHODS OF PAYMENT ACCEPTED FOR JEWELRY.