Small Portrait of a Stylish Young Maine Gentleman

Born June 20, 1775
- on that day the Continental Congress gave instructions to General George Washington, & 3 Days after the Battle of Bunker Hill

New England, likely Maine, ca. 1790-1800.

Oil on canvas. A period inscription on the back of the frame reads: “Samuel Silvester born June 20, 1775 Son of Samuel Silvester which is known to have been in Wiscasset, Me. 1735”. Confirming research found the following: Samuel was born in Pownalborough (near Wiscasset), Lincoln, Maine. A descendent indicated a portrait of Samuel Silvester was hanging over the living room mantel in the family home in Wiscasset. Samuel is very stylishly dressed in the fashion of the day, with military style coat, with white band wrapped around his neck and tied into a small knot below his chin, the especially fine shirt patterned with polka dots.

The portrait is a desirable small size, the frame about 19 ½ inches x 16 ¼.
There is an abrasion the runs along his left cheek line.

From a private Northeast collection, this scarce early portrait is favorably priced.