Americana & Folk Art

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A fully painted and scarcely found silhouette by American William Bache.  This handsome gentleman is representative of Bache's fine work and shows us why Bache is so well-sought and collected.  Painted in black watercolor with gum arabic highlights, this man dates from circa 1800-1810 (Bache's career ended sometime between 1812 and 1822 when he lost his right arm after a tree fell on him).  Below the bust termination is Bache's impressed signature "BACHE'S PATENT" above and below a trio of rosettes surrounded by three leaflets on each side.  Framed in a period, but not original, oval turned wood frame measuring 5" x 6".  The silhouette, which would have been sold to the sitter in a rectangular format, has had the corners trimmed to fit the frame.  A piece of period (100% acid free) paper has been placed behind the silhouette to help the cut edge blend in.  There is a very light stain on the background paper between 2 and 3 o'clock which shows much more in the photos than in person (you have to really look to find it in person).  These impressed signature are hard to photograph and, so, the photo of the impressed signature is computer enhanced so that it shows up better and the color of the paper is more white than it looks.

This is a very fine American silhouette.

(4315)     Sold

Please see the Silhouettist Biographies page for more information about Bache.

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