Portraits of Colonial Virginians, William and Mary Qrtly.; Vol.1, No.2 (Oct., 1892) p. 123-124.


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Vol. 1, No. 2. (Oct., 1892), pp. 123-124.

Portraits of Colonial Virginians.

pp. 123-124.

Page 123.

                PORTRAITS OF COLONIAL VIRGINIANS.

                           BY R. A. BROCK.

   In many families of Virginia are held in reverential regard

portraits of ancestors.  From vicissitudes, needless to be re-
hearsed, some of them have not been kept in due repair.  Some
of them, however, despite dilapidation, were evidently the work
of artists.  Whilst the more continuously prosperous and provi-
dent of the Virginian colonists could have and did avail them-
selves of the works of the artists of the venerated Mother Coun-
try, many had to content themselves with the works of the artists
"to the manner born."  A knowledge of the names and works of 
these is a vindication in many aspects.  There is preserved a
portrait of Mary Bolling, daughter of John Bolling, and wife of
Col. John Fleming (parents of Judge Wm. Fleming), that it may be
concluded, was painted in the colony about 1725.  Just prior to
the first Revolution, an artist, who may be determined as Charles
Wilson Peale, painted a number of portraits of the Bolling and
Randolph families which were collected together at "Bolling Hall,"
Goochland County, and owned by the late Col. Wm. Bolling.  They
were presented by photography, in the Colling Memoirs, by the
generous reverence of the late Thomas H. Wynne, latterly the
Corresponding Secretary of the Virginia Historical Society.  There
were doubtless peripatetic artists who went through Virginia, en-
joying the proverbial hospitality of the "Old Dominion," who
were the authors of many portraits now described and ascribed to
Sir Peter Lely, Sir Godfrey Kneller, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and some,
indeed, to Vandyke.  Peale, a sadler's apprentice, but a man of
varied gifts, had his first tuition in art from Jean Heselius, a
Swede, who painted the portrait of George

Page 124.

Mason of "Gunston."  Doubtless Heselius painted other portraits of
Virginians.  It may be assumed, and it is believed may be sub-
stantiated, that his pupil Peale subsequently painted many portraits
in the Colony.  It is believed that there were also local artists;
native born, who painted.

   Surely something of these must survive in examples of their work
or in concurrent notice, county record and personal diary.  If so,
it should be the duty of the reverential Virginian who reads this
to give his or her mite of evidence, from portrait, tradition or
record.  The most valuable assemblage of portraits in Virginia of
the colonial period is believed to be that preserved at "Lower
Brandon," James River, formed by Colonel Wm. Byrd, the second of
the name; these were almost entirely acquired in England.

   There are, it may be supposed, other errant examples of the 
works of English artists.

   It should behoove their possessors in a just spirit of reverence
and patriotism to identify the painter or theme.  With all respect,
this matter, as with a knowledge of one's grand-fathers and grand-
mothers, is not duly regarded. Those most concerned should know the
most of their own ancestry, and should be informed, or strive to
duly inform themselves, not only as to their descent, but as to the
identity also of precious presentments of virtue and worth, not too
often reproduced.  In the best possible spirit, by one who loves
Virginia as fully, it is modestly hoped, as any other son or
daughter, is this inquiry commended.