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Portrait of John Strother Gaines (VA or NC/TN, 1794 – 1879) by William Harrison Scarborough (TN/SC, 1812-1871), oil on canvas, circa 1833. Gaines is depicted as a younger man, seated and gazing directly at the viewer. He is wearing a dark coat with red lining, a white shirt, and a black cravat against a dark brown background. Label en verso reads: "John Strother Gaines, Born in Patrick Co., VA, Feb. 28, 1794. Died Aug. 31, 1879. He m. Letitia Dalton Moore (born May 23, 1797, died Dec. 23, 1885) married June 23, 1814. Portrait by Uncle Wm. Scarborough". Housed in a modern rococo carved giltwood frame. Sight: 27" H x 22 3/8" W. Framed: 32 1/4" H x 27 3/4" W. Note: Early Tennessee artist William Scarborough married Sarah Ann Gaines, the daughter of John Strother Gaines in 1833. He advertised his portrait painting services in the May 15, 1833 edition of the Knoxville Register. We presume that Gaines commissioned Scarborough to paint his portrait at which time the artist would have met Gaines's daughter Sarah, whom he later married.
PROVENANCE: Living Estate of JoAnn Newland, Arcadia, Tennessee.
CONDITION: Possibly oil on canvas laid on board. Inpainting and repairs to the left side of the face and ear. Overall light craquelure.
