American School, mid-19th Century, oil on canvas portrait of Dr. Joseph Lewis Hornsby of Kentucky (1810-1876), depicted in late middle age with a long white beard and wearing a black suit as he sits in a red upholstered chair. Indistinct background. Unsigned. Housed in the original carved giltwood and composition frame with floral decoration at corners. Sight: 29 in H x  24 in W. Frame: 38 in H x 33 in W. Note: Dr. Joseph Lewis Hornsby was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, and died in Louisville. During the 1850s he lived and worked as a medical doctor in Iberville, Louisiana. He was the great grandson of Thomas Walker of Virginia, the early explorer of Kentucky. His daughter Isabella/Arabella married Civil War Navy Lt. Richard Armstrong. A number of other items related to this family are also for sale in this auction. 

PROVENANCE: The living estate of Bennett Armstrong, Alexandria, TN. By descent in the family of the sitter. 

CONDITION: Painting: Lined. UV light inspection reveals a repaired 13 in long Y-shaped tear across subject’s forehead and left eye, extending in to the background, plus two large spots of retouch to subject’s suit, lower left and middle right. A couple of light surface scratches to canvas. Frame: regilded, with some losses and restorations to carved elements.