Lot 961: Portrait of Mary Halbert Lewis of Nashville & Nashville Female Academy Diploma

Portrait of Mary Halbert Lewis of Nashville, Tennessee (1852-1931) and a Nashville Female Academy Diploma awarded 1844 to her mother, Catherine Bostick Halbert. 1st item: Bust length oil on canvas portrait of Mary Halbert  in her late teens or early twenties, possibly just before her marriage to E.H. Lewis, wearing an off the shoulder white dress with lace at the neckline, and a blue silk shawl, with her head slightly turned in three quarters view. Unsigned. Giltwood frame with band of molded floral decoration. Sight: 24 in. H x 20 in. W. Frame: 34 in. H x 30 in. W. 2nd item: Rare diploma from the Nashville Female Academy, dated Dec. 4, 1844, awarded to Catharine W. Bostick of Nashville (1828-1916). Partially printed document, hand signed (illegibly) by 2 faculty members and 2 trustees. Under glass in a later black molded frame. Sight: 13 in. H x 15 1/2 in. W. Frame: 14 in. H x 16 1/2 in. W. Catherine married John Bentley Halbert (1825-1858) and was the mother of four children including Mary Halbert Lewis (1852-1931). Note: other portraits from this family including a portrait of Catherine’s husband and Mary’s father, John Bentley Halbert, and portraits of Catherine’s parents, Hardin and Margaret Bostick, are also for sale in this auction. The whereabouts of Catherine’s portrait is unknown.

PROVENANCE: By descent in the subject’s family.

CONDITION: 1st item: Lined. UV light inspection shows scattered small spots of retouch to face, shoulders, and lace at chest area. Frame regilt with minor areas of wear/loss. 2nd item: Toning to paper and fading to ink, especially faculty and trustee signatures. A few scattered stains up to 1 in. L. Not examined out of frame.