Do you enjoy a good mystery? How about artwork? And history?
Well, you know I do! And I've found a blog that incorporates all of the
above. Beth, at her blog Gilbert Stuart, tells the intriguing tale of
tracking down the original painter of a family portrait, passed down
to her, through generations from the 1700's. You might just say she's
got a "History Detectives" thing going on! I'm sure you recognize the
name Gilbert Stuart from his famous portrait of George Washington.
He also is responsible for painting the above portrait of Beth's
ancestor Captain Samuel Meeker. If these kind of things interest you,
trot on over to Beth's place and check out her incredibly interesting
and excellently presented blog!
Beth also has made this offer, if you happen to have a family portrait
in your possession:
.
Your old family portrait can be a blessing and may be hanging in a
place of prominence over the mantel; or, perhaps you are struggling
with a decorating problem! Whatever the case, there is most likely a
fascinating story to tell. Send me an image of your ancestral portrait,
and the tale behind it, and I will enter it into the Gilbert Stuart blog.
place of prominence over the mantel; or, perhaps you are struggling
with a decorating problem! Whatever the case, there is most likely a
fascinating story to tell. Send me an image of your ancestral portrait,
and the tale behind it, and I will enter it into the Gilbert Stuart blog.
FIRST!!!
ReplyDeleteWoo-hoo, now I have to go back and read what I commented on . . . . ooh will this be a new installment on your blog? Willow Manor Presents - nice. What you find interesting, I find interesting, not because I follow - but because you lead. . .
ReplyDeleteThis is right up my alley. I'm going to head right over.
ReplyDeleteCan her ancestor really be that handsome!?
So interesting! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteClever Pup, yes! You'll see that good looks definitely run in her family!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful adventure! I am on my way, as well! Thank you, You Darlin', You, for this sweet Gift. (And FUN too!)
ReplyDeleteLovingly ...
Wow--now that is very cool, isn't it! I love that she's done that. I'll have to pop over to that blog pronto. Thanks for the heads up, Willow.
ReplyDeleteI love the stories of our ancestors. A great genealogy story.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing to be able to investigate something of such significance. More likely than not, I would find my ancestors to be more infamous than famous. :)
ReplyDeleteI have not commented much but have enjoyed the information you present.
Namaste,
Roger
Oh my! Captain was a hotty!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE a good mystery!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, willow, for the introduction to this new blog. It's very well-researched, I'll give her that and the subject is one that interests me greatly. I, too, am in the process of starting my family tree (in fact, I did begin a few years ago but had to stop). I am getting a proper software to arrange the different genealogical lines of my ancestors. It should be fun.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
Thanks for that: I shall follow up on the link.
ReplyDeleteThere is a Gilbert Stuart portrait hanging at Monticello. It was neat to see one in person. Fun story of family research. How exciting to have a noted artist's works.
ReplyDeleteCool! We watch a goodly number of art programs in the Hyggehus. Kevin is addicted to one called "Art of the Heist" which is all about, you guessed it - famous art thefts. We get it on an HD network called "Treasure" appropriately enough.
ReplyDeleteNo portraits in our house - except for the ghastly Dorian Gray-type thing hidden away in the basement.
Kat
I am in awe of such family treasures, going back centuries.
ReplyDeleteMy family's ancestors have lived through two world wars (and not all of them) in the last century alon, I am lucky to have a pressed glass and a candy dish, which somehow made it through the mayhem. My husband's mother was able to salvage two handpainted tea glasses. What was not destroyed during the last battles of war, was looted afterwards.
It looks like a great blog. I'll check it out.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. No portraits like this in my family, alas.
ReplyDeleteThere was an exhibit of Gilbert Stuart's work at the National Gallery a few years ago. Did you know he painted almost 200 portraits of Washington in virtually the same pose? Over and over again he painted that famous face, maybe until he got it "right" ? Or who knows why. Lots of time on his hands or something.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to Gilbert's site! I am always fascinated with the mystery and history surrounding family heirlooms and antique pieces. It opens your mind to so much possibility...
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the link, these are just the kind of history adventures I relish :-)
ReplyDeleteHello Willow,
ReplyDeleteIt must be wonderful, if not a little frustrating, to be able to research a piece such as this. Wouldn't it be nice to think that somewhere there is a portrait of an ancestor, just waiting to be discovered?
Oh you know I'm gonna check THIS out! Thanks Willow :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Willow, I've recently become very interested in this historical period, so this is fascinating. I've signed on as a follower and sent out an invitation to my friend Patricia to join me.
ReplyDeleteI find this sort of thing truly fascinating. Thanks for the link to Beth's site.
ReplyDeleteI suppose there were some family portraits in my Virginia tobacco growers illustrious side of the family, but the branch of that family that I descend from left that life in late the 1700s for frontier living. Nary a portrait to be handed down; if there ever was one, it got sold with the old farm in Ohio during WWII.
Well thanks so much for your complementary post about my blog. My trip, discovering the true identity of the sitter (lots of Samuels etc) and the painter, was so much fun, that it has been great to share the experience and expose what a neat dude the painter was! He painted lots of Washingtons, because they made money. But poor Gibby was always falling into debt, and even did some time in prison over in Ireland I believe but smirked all the while because he was still visited by higher-ups who wanted their portrait done. stay tuned for more!
ReplyDeleteI really should have one done so the family will have something to talk about one of these days besides the lives of senseless movie stars. If my stimulus check doesn't arrive soon, I'll be forced to do a self portrait. Pappy
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip - how interesting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info...my paternal great-grandfather was an itinerant artist..when he stayed at a hotel and couldn't pay the bill, he'd paint a mural over the bar! Nothing framed or saved though!!
ReplyDeleteHi Willow,
ReplyDeleteKindly check out http://intheyearofthedog.blogspot.com/ I mentioned you. Hope you will join us Friday 13th.
And dearest Eskimo Bob,
The early bird has finally caught the worm.
PS
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the Gilbert Stuart Blog. I will have to fly over there.
Extremely interesting; I have a lot of reading to do! Merci...
ReplyDeleteMy family had many lovely family portraits but when the grandparents died my uncle (oldest son) got everything and kept it all for himself (millions), cut off his sisters, my mother, and now everything has gone to his bastard (literally) French step son who even took our family name--a Becket! Well, a very tragic story that and so here I am from a heritage of such grandeur now barely struggling away in the sticks of Colorado. how far they've fallen.
ReplyDeleteI've always had an interest in Gilbert Stuart because I live near his birth-place and as a child had field trips there and learned a bit about him...he had a very interesting and humble childhood - his birthplace is a grist mill - ...I wish I had an ancestral portrait to inquire about!
ReplyDeleteEveryone has an interesting ancestor, Willow. I'm off to check out the blog.
ReplyDelete