Attributed to James Hart (Tennessee/Alabama, 1812-1870), "The Bond Children," oil on canvas laid on board three-quarter length portrait depicting two young blond-haired and blue eyed children, shown standing and holding hands, one wearing a white dress and the other wearing a pink dress with lace necklines and sleeves. Unsigned. Housed in a contemporary rococo style gilt wood frame. Sight: 23 1/2" H x 19 1/4" W. Framed: 29 1/4" H x 25 1/4" D. Mid 19th century. Note: Although the full names of the sitters are unknown, in the 1850 TN Census, three Bond brothers were living in Shelby County, TN, including Dr. Samuel Bond, John Bond, and Washington Bond. Artist Biography: James C. Kelly writes in the Tennessee Historical Quarterly Vol. XLVI, "Portrait Painting in Tennessee," that James Hart was listed in the city directories for Memphis in 1855-56 and 1860 as a portrait painter. It is unknown exactly where in Tennessee he was born or where he learned to paint. Hart also appears to have lived in Nashville, Huntsville, and New Orleans. His portraits are in several private Tennessee collections and in the Tennessee State Museum.

PROVENANCE: Deaccessioned from the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

CONDITION: Overall craquelure with scattered areas of paint exfoliation throughout, most visible in the upper right quadrant.