George Dury (Tennessee, 1817-1894) signed pair of oil on canvas portraits, both in elaborate giltwood and composition period frames with ovolo moldings and carved spandrels. 1st item: Oval half length portrait of a young sandy-haired gentleman in a dark suit with white collar, seated in a red chair and holding a pencil and open ledger, signed in bottom right quadrant “G. Dury”, also signed en verso. Sight – 35″ H x 28″ W, carved giltwood frame – 46″ H x 39 1/4″ W. 19th century. 2nd item: Oval half length portrait of a young woman in a white dress with blue sash, sitting with her arms resting on books, signed en verso “G. Dury”. Sight – 35″ H x 27 3/4″ W, carved giltwood frame – 47 3/4″ H x 41″ W. 19th century. Circa 1880. Provenance: descended in the family of John W. Thomas of Nashville, president of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad. It is possible the portraits depict his son, John W. Thomas, Jr. (also a railroad president) and his wife, Dillie Duncan Thomas, who were married in 1879. George Dury, who studied art in Bavaria before immigrating to Tennessee, was one of Nashville’s most important 19th century portrait painters. His work is rarely signed. CONDITION: Portrait of gentleman: minor surface grime, canvas slightly loose in frame, some small paint splatters on top of frame, irregularity to varnish layer. Minor losses to frame. Portrait of Lady: minor cracquelure, minor lacerations to canvas with occasional corresponding patches en verso, paint exfoliation/overcleaning to the left side of woman’s face, inpainting to woman’s nose and shoulder, varnish irregularities. Minor losses to frame.