American School, Portrait of Maria B. Bird

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/25/2022

1857, oil on canvas portrait possibly of Maria B. Bird (b. 1824) and child, reverse with two labels: the first handwritten in ink reading "Maria B. Bird/painted in February 1857 (could also be read as 1837)/Aged 33 years", the second printed "Virginia Museum of Fine Arts" Overall: 49-1/2"h x 41-1/2"w Sight: 41"h x 33"w Provenance: The Bird Family, Virginia; Walter P. Chrysler, New York; Hirschl and Adler Galleries, New York; Property from the Collection of Mimi Adler Exhibition: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Note: The sitters in this portrait are most likely Maria B. Bird (b. 1824), the first wife of William Beverley Bird (1818-1892, m. Maria in 1843), and the couple's daughter, Martha Fauntleroy (Bird) Taylor (1857-1935). They resided in "Cypress Hall", King and Queen County, Virginia. It is also possible that the sitter is William Bird's second wife, Martha Katherine Harwood, who is cited in county records of having given birth to Martha. The first handwritten paper label on the back is slightly illegible, meaning the date could be either 1857 or 1837, the latter of which would be a more accurate date for the sitters' attires.