Thomas Cantwell Healy (American/Mississippi, 1820-1899) oil on canvas portrait of a middle-aged gentleman with blue eyes in a three-piece black suit and black bowtie, his arm resting against a column as he gazes directly at the viewer. Signed and dated "T. C. Healy, Port Gibson, Miss. Oct (illegible) AD. 1871" lower left. Illegible stamp label, en verso. Housed in a contemporary grey wooden frame speckled with gilt. Sight: 29 1/8" H x 24 1/8" W. Framed: 37 1/2" H x 32 3/8" W. Note: Thomas Healy was born in New York, the younger brother of fellow artist George Peter Alexander Healy (with whom he studied art in Paris in 1838). About a year later he opened a studio in Boston, and exhibited paintings at the National Academy of Design and the Boston Athenæum. From 1843 on, Thomas Healy traveled and lived extensively in the southern states, making his living as a portraitist in Louisiana and Mississippi. In early 1861 Thomas Healy and his brother George were in Charleston, South Carolina. After the bombardment and surrender of Fort Sumter, the brothers parted ways. George, holding northern sympathies and strong anti-slavery views, returned to Boston, while Thomas remained in the South permanently. (Source: the Institute of Nautical Archaelogy, Texas A & M University).

CONDITION: Overall good condition with scattered errant brown stains and losses to paint, largest measuring 3/8" H x 1/8" W. Two areas of clay residue/accretions, largest 6 1/2" x 2", en verso of canvas. Canvas loose in frame at lower right corner. Frame with minor losses, largest measuring 7/8" L.