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Two 19th century pastel portraits that descended in a historic Georgia family. The portrait of a gentleman is believed to depict John Hutchins Johnson (1807-1864) circa 1850s, and the portrait of a lady is possibly his second wife, Mariah Randolph Smith Johnson (1818-1893), depicted circa 1860. The dark haired gentleman, who appears to be about age 40, wears a beard, dark suit and tie and white shirt. The dark haired lady, who appears to be in her 40s or 50s, styles her dark hair in long ringlets and wears a black dress with white collar, a thick hair mourning necklace with cross, and a tartan bow centered by a miniature portrait brooch. Both portraits are bust length, unsigned, and have been executed on paper and backed to canvas, then matted and framed under glass in molded giltwood and composition period frames. Gentleman: sight: 22 in. H x 18 in. W. Frame: 32 in. H x 28 in. W. Lady: Sight: 21 in. H x 17 1/2 in. W. Frame: 31 in. H x 27 1/2 in. W. Note: John Hutchins Johnson and Mariah Johnson of Coweta County, Georgia, were the father and stepmother of Lt. Col. Thomas Coke Johnson (1835-1862), in whose family these portraits have descended. The woman in the portrait could also possibly Mary Ann Solomon Wiggins (1823-1875), mother of Ella J. Wiggins Johnson, wife of Lt. Col. Thomas Coke Johnson. She was widowed in 1853 but remarried in 1860.
PROVENANCE: Living Estate of Sally Johnson Harlan, a direct descendant of John Hutchins Johnson and Thomas Coke Johnson. Note: a plantation journal from the John Hutchins Johnson family is also in this auction, lot 538, along with a tintype of Lt. Col. T.C. Johnson, (lot 536), and a family photograph (lot 537).
CONDITION: Both portraits have been adhered to canvas. Not examined out of frame. Gentleman’s portrait: Very good condition. Antique frame with multiple scattered losses up to 4 inches long, cracks, chips, and later re-gilding. Lady’s portrait: Very good condition. Frame overall very good condition with a couple of small repairs. Later re-gilding.
