Portrait of young Henry Wade Witzman (1895 – 1954), oil on canvas, laid on board, circa 1900. The oval, bust length painting depicts the child with short curly blonde hair, wearing a striped shirt and a taupe jacket, set against a dark background. Unsigned. Housed in a foliate and pierced gilt wood frame. Sight: 23 3/8" H x 19 3/8" W. Framed: 29 3/4" H x 25" W. Note: The sitter is the son of Emile Frederick Augustus Witzmann and Susan Lang Witzmann, who lived in Memphis in the latter part of the 19th century. Originally from Germany, Emile Witzmann moved to Memphis in 1866, where he got a job teaching music and languages. He founded E. Witzmann and Company in 1872, a music store based in Memphis that sold pianos, organs, and other musical instruments as well as sheet music for various instruments. This painting has been documented by the TN Portrait Project.

PROVENANCE: Deaccessioned from the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

CONDITION: Two approx. 2" vertical tears to the canvas on either side of the sitter's head, the right tear with minor lifting. A couple of old previous repairs above left side vertical tear. Frame with light general wear.