18th century naïve portraits of a husband and wife, pastel on paper, attributed to Benjamin Blyth. The portraits are housed in period, possibly original frames. They are in good condition, with a repaired tear at the lower right on the gentleman and a small tear at the upper left on the lady. These are the earliest American portraits we have ever had the privilege of owning. Circa 1770, Massachusetts.
Benjamin Blyth, (1746-1811), was born in Salem, MA and was one of the best known and most successful portraitists on the North Shore from the mid-1760s through the early 1780s. While Blyth sometimes worked in oil, his preferred medium was pastel. He found a ready clientele amongst wealthy shipowners and merchants throughout the region.
Provenance: Pook & Pook, The Collection of Dr. & Mrs. George Wolfe 04/20/2012; The Collection of Margaret Schiffer, West Chester, PA.
Dimensions: 26” x 22”; Viewed Area: 22½” x 18½”
Item No. 220214
Price: $2,900.
