WHAT: An early oil on canvas portrait of young Mary Margaret Deuel of Dutchess County, N.Y., sold for $391,500 recently in an American Furniture, Folk Art and Silver sale at Christie's.
The 30-inch-by-24-inch painting became top lot of the sale notably because it was done by Ammi Phillips (1778-1865), an itinerant and probably self-taught painter who worked the edge of the then-frontier. But there's more to the story.
MORE: Today, Phillips is recognized as the most accomplished among early itinerant painters. His works, when they come to market, bring record prices. And he was not untalented.
In this very appealing portrait, the composition is flawless. Mary is lifelike, not stiff. Note how she looks directly at the viewer as she holds a bunch of strawberries. Her red shoes and the upholstered stool add color.
SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: Before the advent of photography, the very wealthy could afford established portraitists to paint their portrait. The gentry and well-to-do arranged sittings by itinerant men (such as Phillips) who traveled individual routes. They were also called limners. Families who lived in the area knew when the artist could be expected next, then housed and fed them as they worked.
HOT TIP: The painting was new to the market, and that is irresistible to bidders. Held in the Deuel family until 1982, it has been owned by only one "outsider."
BOTTOM LINE: The portrait is a rock star. As a beautiful example of its kind, and done by the premier traveling artist of his day, it hits all the right notes down to the berries and red shoes. What's not to like?
