Lot 197: Washington Cooper, TN Portrait of Hardin Bostick of Nashville

Washington Bogart Cooper (Tennessee, 1809-1882) portrait of Hardin Perkins Bostick of Nashville. The half length portrait depicts the dark haired, subject in his late 30s, in three quarter view, wearing a black coat and tie and white jacket. He holds a rolled document in his right hand and is seated in a chair against an indistinct background. Unsigned. Antique, possibly original molded giltwood frame. Sight: 29 in. H  x 24 in. W. Frame: 38 1/2 in. H x 33 1/2 in. W. Biographical note: Bostick (1804-1861) was born in Stokes, NC to John Bostick Sr. and Mary Polly Jarvis. He married Margaret Rebecca Litton in Nashville on Dec. 30, 1824, and they had ten children. Margaret was the sister of Ann Litton Cooper, the wife of artist Washington Bogart Cooper. Hardin Bostick was an attorney, iron mine owner and real estate investor, and built a 2-story brick home on the north side of Charlotte Pike, about a mile west of the Nashville Public Square. He died of typhoid fever in Nashville in 1861 and is buried in the Nashville City Cemetery. His family was forced to move from their home around 1862 when Federal forces captured Nashville. They were never able to return. Note: Bostick was apparently one of Washington Cooper’s more important patrons; the artist’s ledger lists Hardin Bostick as having paid for multiple portraits. Portraits of other family members are also in this auction.

PROVENANCE: By descent in the family of the subject.

CONDITION: Craquelure throughout. Stretcher lines. A few tiny flakes to left center and upper right background. Scattered small areas of touchup. Light grime and a few scattered inclusions/flyspecks.