Lot 198: Washington Cooper TN Portrait of Margaret Litton Bostick of Nashville

Washington Bogart Cooper (Tennessee, 1809-1882) portrait of his wife’s sister, Margaret Rebecca Litton Bostick (1804-1897) of Nashville, wife of Hardin Bostick (whose portrait is also featured in this auction). Margaret is depicted at age 38, in half length, three quarter view, with her dark hair pulled back, in a black dress with white lace collar, seated before a red drape. Unsigned. Antique, possibly original molded giltwood frame. Sight: 29 1/2 in. H x 24 1/4 in. W. Framed: 38 in. H x 33 in. W. Biographical note: Margaret Litton Bostick was born in Dublin, Ireland. She emigrated with her parents, Joseph and Catherine Litton and their family to Nashville in 1817. Her sister Ann Litton married the artist Washington Bogart Cooper (to whom this painting is attributed) in 1839. Margaret married Hardin Perkins Bostick (1804-1861) in Nashville on Dec. 30, 1824, and they had ten children. Hardin Bostick, whose portrait is also in this auction, was a successful attorney, iron mine owner and real estate investor. He built his family a 2-story brick home on the north side of Charlotte Pike, about a mile west of the Nashville Public Square. The Civil War period brought tragedy to Margaret Litton. Her husband died of typhoid fever in Nashville in 1861 and their sons John Litton and Abram Bostick died fighting for the Confederacy. The family was forced to move from their home around 1862 when Federal forces captured Nashville. They were never able to return. Note: Washington Cooper’s ledger notes he painted this particular portrait in 1842. 

PROVENANCE: By descent in the family of the subject.

CONDITION: Repaired 12 inch tear extending from subject’s hairline to upper right background, with related retouching. A few tiny scattered inclusions/flyspecks and flakes to subject’s nose and to background. Craquelure throughout. Stretcher lines.