Offered here is American folk art portrait oil on canvas, dating from the mid 19th century, circa 1850 by the hand of William Kennedy. The size of this painting is 24 X 20 inches. The frame is antique, but likely not original frame, it measures 29 X 25 inches. In fair to good condition. This canvas was re-lined circa 1940 but retaining the original American pine stretcher. There is one area of fairly significant imprinting located just to the right (as viewed) of the sitters hair. There are also two post relining dings which are small and located in the upper and upper right background, but none the less notable. In reality, and without any attention by a conservator, the painting hangs very well as is very pleasing as is. The vast majority of American folk art is unsigned, and this wonderful portrait is no exception. Kennedy is known to have worked as a portrait painter in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1845 and in Berwick, Maine, in 1847. He is included in the group known as the “Prior Hamblin” artists because of the stylistic similarity of his portraits. Recorded proximity of Kennedy and William Matthew Prior at particular times explains their remarkably similar painting characteristics. William Kennedy is perhaps the least well known of the portraitists referred to as “Prior Hamblin” artists. To date no contact between him and any other member of this stylistically linked group of painters has been documented. The opportunity for exposure to William Matthew Prior’s work certainly existed, however, as is readily apparent upon comparing recorded dates and locations of activity for the two artists in both New England and Maryland. Especially noteworthy is the fact that Prior’s signed Baltimore works bear an East Monument Street address only a few doors from where Kennedy worked from 1856 to 1859. The next to last photo presented in our listing is a comparison of this fine portrait being offered in our listing and another portrait of a lady by William Kennedy. The comparison speaks for itself. From American Folk Portraits Paintings and Drawings from the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center, we learn the following about William Kennedy. Kennedy is perhaps the least well known of the portraitists referred to as “Prior Hamblin” artists. Recent research by the Folk Art Center has revealed fourteen signed examples of Kennedy’s work, which provide the stylistic basis for an additional thirty-nine attributions. Peculiarities of his anatomical descriptions include exaggerated shading around the nose, a U-shaped configuration connection the eyebrows and nose of the subject, a dark line between the lips–often with T formations at each corner of the mouth. The item “William Kennedy American folk art circa 1850 great oil painting” is in sale since Wednesday, April 10, 2019. This item is in the category “Art\Paintings”. The seller is “eam-art1987″ and is located in Ramat Gan, default. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Region of Origin: US
- Signed?: Unsigned
- Size Type/Largest Dimension: Medium (Up to 30″)
- Style: american folk art
- Listed By: Dealer or Reseller
- Medium: Oil
- Date of Creation: 1800-1899
- Subject: Figures & Portraits
- Originality: Original
