Painting of Judge John Hillhouse of Tennessee (1771-1840), attributed to John Neagle (Pennsylvania / NY, 1796-1865), oil on canvas. Subject is depicted with dark hair and dark eyes and attired in a striped waistcoat, black coat, and white cravat. Unsigned. Faint pencil inscription en verso of stretcher reads "John Hillhouse 18", possibly dating the portrait to 1818. Housed in a period American giltwood and gesso frame. Sight: 29 1/2" H x 23 1/2" W. Framed" 38 3/4" H x 32 1/2" W. Note: John Hillhouse was born in South Carolina. According to family genealogical records, he served with David Crockett and married Bethia Sharp of Kentucky. He served as a Justice of the Peace in Lawrence County, TN from 1818-1822 (source: Goodspeed's History of Lawrence County, 1886) and is credited with helping erect the first Lawrence County Courthouse. John Neagle was a Boston born artist who trained under Thomas Sully in Pennsylvania. In 1818, he traveled through Kentucky to New Orleans, receiving portrait commissions, before setting up a studio in Philadelphia (source: the National Gallery of Art).

PROVENANCE: Private Illinois Collection.

CONDITION: Overall craquelure commensurate with age. Painting has been wax lined. Some scattered fleabite sized flakes. Overpainting to face and forehead and possible light scattered over painting to background. Possible inpainting in lower margin, see UV light photos for reference. Frame with some light scattered gilt losses and repaired decoration.