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Unknown, Portrait of a Woman, late 19th/early 20th century, watercolor on ivory, sight: 1 7/16 x 1 3/16 in. (3.7 x 3 cm), framed: 2 7/16 x 1 11/16 in. (6.2 x 4.3 cm), Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Starr and the Starr Foundation, Inc., F58-60/123
Unknown, Portrait of a Woman (verso), late 19th/early 20th century, watercolor on ivory, sight: 1 7/16 x 1 3/16 in. (3.7 x 3 cm), framed: 2 7/16 x 1 11/16 in. (6.2 x 4.3 cm), Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Starr and the Starr Foundation, Inc., F58-60/123
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Unknown, Portrait of a Woman, late 19th/early 20th century

Artist Unknown (English)
Former Attribution Jean-Alexander Boquet (French, 1752–1828)
Title Portrait of a Woman
Object Date late 19th/early 20th century
Medium Watercolor on ivory
Setting Gilt metal frame
Dimensions Sight: 1 7/16 x 1 3/16 in. (3.7 x 3 cm)
Framed: 2 7/16 x 1 11/16 in. (6.2 x 4.3 cm)
Inscription Inscribed on lower right margin: “J. A. Boquet”
Credit Line Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Starr and the Starr Foundation, Inc., F58-60/123

doi: 10.37764/8322.5.4218

Curatorial Notes

According to Bernd Pappe, this portrait miniature of a woman was most likely copied by an English artist after an original work dating to about 1775. Pappe proposed that while Boquet may be the artist’s name, it was most likely added to give the appearance of authenticity. The two initials in the signature are probably “J. A.,” as per photomicrographs, but have also been interpreted as “J. T.” and “P. J.” 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.

Exhibitions

The Starr Foundation Collection of Miniatures, The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, December 8, 1972–January 14, 1973, no cat., no. 246, as by J. T. Boquet, Unknown Lady.

References

Ross E. Taggart, The Starr Collection of Miniatures in the William Rockhill Nelson Gallery (Kansas City, MO: Nelson Gallery-Atkins Museum, 1971), no. 246, p. 80 (repro.), as by J. T. Boquet, Unknown Lady.

No known related works at this time. If you have additional information on this object, please tell us more.

Unknown, Portrait of a Woman, late 19th/early 20th century, watercolor on ivory, sight: 1 7/16 x 1 3/16 in. (3.7 x 3 cm), framed: 2 7/16 x 1 11/16 in. (6.2 x 4.3 cm), Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Starr and the Starr Foundation, Inc., F58-60/123
Unknown, Portrait of a Woman (verso), late 19th/early 20th century, watercolor on ivory, sight: 1 7/16 x 1 3/16 in. (3.7 x 3 cm), framed: 2 7/16 x 1 11/16 in. (6.2 x 4.3 cm), Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Starr and the Starr Foundation, Inc., F58-60/123
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