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This stunning painting was painted to memorialize Robert Spear of Brunswick, Maine who died of typhus fever at the young age of 25 while sailing on the brig Nimrod off the coast of France.

The painting depicts an allegorical figure of a young woman pointing to heaven to the left of the stone which is topped by a classical urn.  To the right stands a mourning woman (either a wife or mother) dressed in black.  Her face is covered with a black lace veil.  Behind the stone stands a large weeping willow.  In the background is a body of water with several islands on which there are buildings.  Several ships sail on the water.  Farther back are mountains and close to the water's edge stands an arched bridge.  The left foreground is dominated by a knarled tree.

The stone reads:

SACRED

TO THE

MEMORY

of

ROBERT SPEAR

WHO DIED JULY 25, 1825

AGED 25 YEARS

So pass our joys my bosom sighs:

We fondly dwelt on days to come:

Soon the vain wish that soar'd on high

Was hush'd, and answer'd in the tomb.

Genealogy research on Robert Spear has so far been unsuccessful in finding Robert's family line although I did find a family of Spears in Brunswick, including several generations of Roberts.  I have traced that family back to William Spear who was born in Brunswick in 1713.  That William had a son Robert in 1734, who had a son Robert in 1764, who had a son Robert in 1796.  Now, Robert of 1796 might be a consideration since the dates in family trees are often incorrect.  However, it appears that Robert of 1796 lived until 1896....much too long for the Robert of this memorial.  I will send the genealogical information that I have but I don't think it is the correct person....although it might be the correct family or some person may have been left out of the oral family history upon which this family tree was built.

Luckily, we have lots of good information about James Todd the frame-maker of this beautiful gilt frame and églomisé mat.  James Todd was born in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1795.  His family goes back to Richard and Elizabeth Warren who came to America on the Mayflower.  He married Lucy Thaxter.  Todd began advertising his business in the Eastern Argus newspaper of Portland in 1820.  He had just taken a store on Exchange Street and advertised that he did burnish gilding, reframed old looking glasses and newly framed embroidery, paintings, drawings and prints and "glaz'd and enamel'd" them.  In May of 1823, Todd advertised "Looking Glasses, cheap!" at his "Manufactory" at the "Sign of the Looking-Glass".  From 1823 until his building burned in 1861 (then run by William Todd--probably his son or grandson), his business was always known by his Looking-Glass trade sign.  James Todd was elected to many public offices including representative, alderman and city clerk.  He was also president of the Mechanic Association and a Mason.  Todd died in Portland in 1884, at the age of 90.  A folder including print-outs of James Todd's advertisements and his genealogical information will be included with this wonderful painting.  One of Todd's fabulous looking glass and another variation of his trade label is pictured in The Mirror Book:  English, American and European, by Herbert F. Schiffer at plates 462 and 463.

The backboard of this original frame has two pencil inscriptions saying "Loaned by R.S. Dunning" and "Painted by Mrs. Putnam in 1829".  Unfortunately, it does not say what the painting was loaned for nor does it have a first name for Mrs. Putnam.  In all likelihood, the artist of this painting studied painting at a school girl academy.  Her design was likely either after a print source used by the mistress of the academy or after a painting done by the mistress herself.  I am attempting to identify the school from which this beautiful painting might have come, but no promises.  I will update this listing as (and if) more information is found on Robert Spear, and the artist, and the school.

The framed size of this stunning painting is 29 1/2" x 22 1/2".  The paper shows some acid damage which you can see in the photo as faint vertical changes in the background color.  I have laid a piece of acid-free acetate between the paper and the backboard to prevent any more acid leaching into the paper.  There is a small tear on the bottom edge of the paper but it is covered by the painted mat.  This is really an extraordinary find of American folk art.  I bought it for my mourning collection but can't find anywhere to hang it....my walls are quite full!

(#4540)     Sold

This lovely painting will be exhibited in "Dearly Departed: Women and Mourning 1680 – 1918", August 15 - October 31, 2009 at the Tioga County Historical Society in historic Owega, New York.  Click the link for information about the exhibit and the catalog.

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