Curatorial Notes
The miniature opens like a book with a turning page. A tortoiseshell case is on the front. Upon opening, interior side A, which was formerly silk lined, is empty, and interior side B is a watercolor and gouache on ivory portrait of a woman in a white dress against a sky background; the portrait has a vermeil surround and is inscribed “Souvenir” at the top. On the reverse of said portrait, is interior side C, and it is a watercolor and gouache on ivory portrait of a man wearing a black coat against a sky background; the portrait has a vermeil surround and is inscribed “D’Amitie” at the top. Opposite the portrait, interior side D, was formerly silk lined but is now empty. Upon closing, there is a tortoiseshell case back with a cursive “NF” monogram.
The signature “Daffinger,” and the imitation of Daffinger’s bravura style were intended to appeal to a broader audience, targeting unsuspecting buyers to believe it was an authentic piece. Although the portraits themselves are copies of miniatures by Daffinger, they lack the artist’s sensitive tonality and flair for creating a lively likeness, and date along with the case to the early twentieth century. We are grateful to Bernd Pappe for his insight on the attribution of this miniature during a visit to the Nelson-Atkins from July 24–26, 2023 (see Bernd Pappe, “Attribution Report,” August 6, 2023, Nelson-Atkins curatorial files).
Provenance
Mr. John W. (1905–2000) and Mrs. Martha Jane (1906–2011) Starr, Kansas City, MO, by 1958;
Their gift to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1958.
No known exhibitions or bibliographic references at this time. If you have additional information on this object, please tell us more.