Child of the Hillhouse Family, by John Carlin, Circa 1840

A delightful American miniature of a child of the Hillhouse family, with blue eyes and blond hair, wearing a dress with a black velvet bodice and gray skirt, the collar and sleeves trimmed with white lace. The painting is set behind a gilt mat and glass in a brown leather travel wallet.

The portrait came from a relative of the Hillhouse family of New Haven, Connecticut, a prominent family in the area for several centuries. The family included Senator James Hillhouse, who also served as treasurer of Yale University, and as a real estate developer, was responsible for the design of New Haven. Hillhouse Avenue and James Hillhouse High School were named for James Hillhouse. His son James Abraham Hillhouse, a published poet, created the place and the poem "Sachem's Wood," and was one of the earliest Americans to attempt poetic drama in the manner of Shelley and Byron.

John Carlin (1813-1891), an exceptional miniaturist, as well as a portrait, genre, and landscape painter, was born deaf-mute in Philadelphia. He studied from 1821 to 1825 at the Pennsylvania Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, and then studied drawing with John Rubens Smith, and portrait painting with John Neagle. He exhibited at the Artist's Fund Society from 1835 to 1838. He subsequently spent the next few years studying at the British Museum in London, and with Paul Delaroche in Paris. Upon his return he settled in New York City, with professional forays in the years 1841 to 1856, to Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York State, Massachusetts, Washington D.C. and Baltimore. He became a well-known society miniaturist, particularly noted for his sensitivity in depicting children.

Carlin exhibited at the National Academy of Design, the American Institute, the American Art-Union, the Maryland Historical Society and the Pennsylvania Academy. The New York Historical Society holds his account book. Carlin was also a published writer, best known for the children's book, The Scratchside Family, (NY 1861), and his poem "The Mute's Lament," which begins, "I move a silent exile on this earth." He was friends with William Cullen Bryant, Hamilton Fish, and William Henry Seward, and was often invited to appear at conferences for deaf people, becoming the first person to receive a honorary degree from Gallaudet University. He married Miss Seward, also deaf, from the family of William Henry Seward, Secretary to Abraham Lincoln, and raised five children. His works may be seen at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Dimensions: 2 ¼ x 1 ¾ inches; case: 4 x 3 ½ inches

Edward John Lake, Signed by Louis Theodore Herman, Dated 1836

A stunning French portrait miniature of Edward John Lake, with brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a black coat, black waistcoat, white chemise and black cravat. The painting is set in a gilt pendant frame with a pearl surround, the reverse with glazed blue silk. The portrait is signed and dated at the lower right: "Herman/1836," and purportedly inscribed on the backing paper: "Major Lake/aged 13/no 154."

Edward John Lake was the son of Edward Lake, a Major in the Madras engineers. He was a lieutenant in Delhi 1844, severely wounded at the battle of Moodkee in 1845, made Captain and Brevet-Major for services in Punjab campaigns in 1843, returned to England in 1860, made Lieutenant-Colonel in 1861 and Colonel in 1870. He married the youngest daughter of T. Bowes in 1861, and retired with the honorary rank of Major-General.

Louis Theodore Herman[n] (1803-1895) was born in Brussels, the son of Ignace Louis Hermann, with whom he studied.

Exhibited: Kredietbank Gallery, Brussels, Autissier et le Portrait Miniature Romantique en Belgique, 1998, no. 96.

Literature: Exhibition catalogue for the above, page 178, illustrated page 120.

Dimensions: 3 x 2 3/8 inches.

Anna Russell Hone, Grand-daughter of New York City Mayor, Signed by John Carlin, Circa 1844

A very charming American portrait miniature of Anna Russell Hone, a grand-daughter of Philip Hone, a mayor of New York City (1826 to 1827) and prominent politician and mover-and-shaker of his time. Anna has blonde ringlets and large brown eyes, and is wearing a white frock, against a sky background. The painting is signed on the right: Carlin, and is set within the original brushed gold oval mat, which is held within a period eglomise mat and gilded wood frame. John Carlin was a family friend who painted several members of the Hone family.

Anna Russell Hone was one of four children born to Robert S. Hone and Eliza Rodman Hone (nee Russell.) Anna's siblings were Mary Schermerhorn Hone, Charles Russell Hone and Robert Hone, Jr. Anna's sister Mary Schermerhorn Hone, also by John Carlin,was sold here previously. Robert Hone, Sr. son of Philip Hone and Catharine Dunscomb, was president of the Republic Fire Insurance Company of New York, vice-president of the New York Institution for the Blind, and a director and trustee of several other prominent New York institutions. Philip Hone (1780–1851) became wealthy in the auction business, and in 1825 became the first president of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, and subsequently served as Naval Officer of the Port of New York. His mansion was located across from City Hall, and although his tenure as mayor was brief, his sophistication, extensive travel experience, culture and hospitable character won him friendships with many of America's prominent political leaders, artists, and scientists, including Washington Irving, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, Samuel Morse, Daniel Webster and John Jacob Astor. Hone kept a detailed dairy that recorded his impressions of the major events of the first half of the nineteenth century. This diary was published, and continues to be used as a primary resource for historians. Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and Hone Avenue, Bronx, are both named after him.

John Carlin (1813-1891), an exceptional miniaturist, as well as a portrait, genre, and landscape painter, was born deaf-mute in Philadelphia. He studied from 1821 to 1825 at the Pennsylvania Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, and then studied drawing with John Rubens Smith, and portrait painting with John Neagle. He exhibited at the Artist's Fund Society from 1835 to 1838. He subsequently spent the next few years studying at the British Museum in London, and with Paul Delaroche in Paris. Upon his return he settled in New York City, with professional forays in the years 1841 to 1856, to Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York State, Massachusetts, Washington D.C. and Baltimore. He became a well-known society miniaturist, particularly noted for his sensitivity in depicting children. Carlin exhibited at the National Academy of Design, the American Institute, the American Art-Union, the Maryland Historical Society and the Pennsylvania Academy. The New York Historical Society holds his account book. Carlin was also a published writer, best known for the children's book, The Scratchside Family, (NY 1861), and his poem "The Mute's Lament," which begins, "I move a silent exile on this earth." He was friends with William Cullen Bryant, Hamilton Fish, and William Henry Seward, and was often invited to appear at conferences for deaf people, becoming the first person to receive a honorary degree from Gallaudet University. He married Miss Seward, also deaf, from the family of William Henry Seward, Secretary to Abraham Lincoln, and raised five children. His works may be seen at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Dimensions: Image: 1 ¾ x 1 ½ inches. Frame: 4 ¼ x 3 ½ inches.

Provenance: By direct descent through the Hone family of New York City.