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After Andrew Plimer, Portrait of A. Bowen, Esq., late 19th/early 20th century, watercolor on ivory, sight: 2 3/8 x 2 in. (6 x 5.1 cm), framed: 2 9/16 x 2 in. (6.5 x 5.1 cm), Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Starr and the Starr Foundation, Inc., F58-60/146
After Andrew Plimer, Portrait of A. Bowen, Esq. (verso), late 19th/early 20th century, watercolor on ivory, sight: 2 3/8 x 2 in. (6 x 5.1 cm), framed: 2 9/16 x 2 in. (6.5 x 5.1 cm), Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Starr and the Starr Foundation, Inc., F58-60/146
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After Andrew Plimer, Portrait of A. Bowen, Esq., late 19th/early 20th century

Artist After Andrew Plimer (English, 1763–1837)
Former Attribution George Smithson (English, active 1758–1795)
Title Portrait of A. Bowen, Esq.
Object Date late 19th/early 20th century
Medium Watercolor on ivory
Setting Gilt copper alloy case with braided hair in back and beaded monogram
Dimensions Sight: 2 3/8 x 2 in. (6 x 5.1 cm)
Framed: 2 9/16 x 2 in. (6.5 x 5.1 cm)
Inscription Inscribed in red on recto, lower right: “S.”
Inscribed on frame: “A. Bowen Esq. By Smithson of Barbados 1795.”
Inscribed with beaded monogram on case verso: “AB”
Credit Line Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Starr and the Starr Foundation, Inc., F58-60/146

doi: 10.37764/8322.5.4212

Curatorial Notes

Bernd Pappe and Stephen Lloyd examined this miniature in 2023, both concluding that it is a twentieth-century copy after Andrew Plimer (1763–1837). This was confirmed following research by Maggie Keenan, who discovered that the original miniature by Plimer was sold at Sotheby’s, London, December 5, 1955, lot 74. Unusual features that call the authenticity of this miniature into question include the red “S” inscription, intense coloring and caricature-esque rendering of the man’s features. The accompanying Georgian-era case and hair memento were almost certainly added later, with the intent of giving this miniature an older, more authentic appearance (see Nelson-Atkins curatorial files, 2023).

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.

References

Ross E. Taggart, The Starr Collection of Miniatures in the William Rockhill Nelson Gallery (Kansas City, MO: Nelson Gallery-Atkins Museum, 1971), no. 197, p. 66 (repro.), as by Smithson of Barbados, A. Bowen.

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

After Andrew Plimer, Portrait of A. Bowen, Esq., late 19th/early 20th century, watercolor on ivory, sight: 2 3/8 x 2 in. (6 x 5.1 cm), framed: 2 9/16 x 2 in. (6.5 x 5.1 cm), Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Starr and the Starr Foundation, Inc., F58-60/146
After Andrew Plimer, Portrait of A. Bowen, Esq. (verso), late 19th/early 20th century, watercolor on ivory, sight: 2 3/8 x 2 in. (6 x 5.1 cm), framed: 2 9/16 x 2 in. (6.5 x 5.1 cm), Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Starr and the Starr Foundation, Inc., F58-60/146
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