Howes, Samuel P - portrait of a young lady

This miniature portrait was acquired as a pair, together with the accompanying portrait by Nathaniel Rogers. At that time they were both unattributed.

An attribution for the artist who painted this miniature is not as certain as for the Rogers, but one possible artist is Mrs Moses B Russell, also known as Clarissa Peters Russell. However, it could be a later work by her husband Moses B Russell, after he had been influenced by her style.

A kind visitor to the collection has also suggested a third possible artist for this miniature is Samuel P Howes (1806-1881) who resided in Lowell, Massachsetts , primarily painting large oil portraits, but also some miniatures. This suggestion focuses particularly on the cross-hatched background and the shape of the mouth, but also the clothes, necklace, and hair.

At this point the attribution to Howes may well be the most likely.

By chance, a separate visitor to the website has suggested another miniature I had previously attributed to Mrs Moses B Russell, may instead be by Samuel P Howes. This is shown here but is discussed in more depth at Howes, Samuel P - portrait of a young lady

Both this and the miniature by Rogers were housed together in a very cheap and combined modern frame from around 1990, which detracted from their appearance and no doubt contributed to the artists not being recognised by the vendor.

Although this portrait is different to the round eyed portraits of young children by Mrs Moses B Russell, it does have similarities with her other work. In Johnson's book about the Manney Collection figs 209 and 210 are actually by her and not by her husband, as attributed in the book. Both those young ladies are sitting holding a book in a similar pose.

The following comments from Johnson are also relevant "Details of dress and interior furnishings are very decorative, incorporating a variety of patterns. Flowers or vines are often introduced at the edges of the composition. Pale skin tones contrast with deep shades of fabrics, against striated backgrounds..."

Here the young lady is sitting on a decorative sofa and flowers can be seen outside the window. Although difficult to see, there is a great deal of detail on her dress, including a lace bodice right across her chest and lace cuffs on her dress.

This is the only American miniature in the collection that has a rare crystalline growth over parts of the miniature. It can best be seen as a lace like effect on her neck.

The sitter is unknown. 1239