Portraiture in Americana at STAIR

In early America, portraiture was about more than likeness; it was a declaration of status, identity, and legacy. Explore the portraits featured in our upcoming Americana at STAIR sale on January 29, 2026.

Portraiture was a central and important genre in American painting in the 18th and 19th centuries. Commissioned portraits of society men and women showcased wealth and social status, while portraits of political and Revolutionary heroes immortalized prominent statesmen and documented life in the early decades of the United States. Portrait painting took hold as a way to promote an image of affluence and refinement for the self-made middle class as well as the wealthy founding families. Fine examples of portraits of women in our upcoming Americana sale include works by Charles Wilson Peale, Gilbert Stuart, Henry Bembridge and James Earl. A favorite in the sale is by the early 18th century artist John Heaton, who was from Albany, NY. It is aptly and quite humorously titled Woman with Two Left Hands.

Lot 344: Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827): Portrait of Anjelica Peale (Mrs. Alexander Robinson)

Lot 346: Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827): Portrait of Mrs. Christopher Lowndes

Lot 256: Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828): Portrait of Frances Torrey

Lot 254: James Earl (1761-1796): Portrait of a Lady in a Gray Striped Dress

Lot 263: Henry Bembridge (1743-1812): Portrait of a Woman Wearing a Pink Silk Dress

Lot 289: John Heaton (act. 1730-1745): Woman With Two Left Hands

A popular sub-genre of American portraiture is portraits of early American children. Four examples are included in the sale, showing young girls with toys and small animals which was typical for 19th century folk portraits. The artists are unknown, except for the Portrait of Sarah Johnson of Mohawk, NY which has been attributed to Susan Water. Another Hudson Valley native is shown in the Portrait of Louise Stover of Saratoga Springs. As with portraits of adults, these paintings were commissioned to memorialize the children of wealthy families and offer a glimpse into the lives of early American children of the upper classes.

Lot 356: American School: Portrait of a Child with Toys

Lot 288: Attributed to Susan C. Waters (1823-1900): Portrait of Sarah Johnson of Mohawk, NY

Lot 287: American School: Portrait of Louise Stover, Saratoga Springs, NY

Lot 358: American School: Portrait of a Girl, New England

CATALOGUE ONLINE: Friday, January 16

GALLERY PREVIEW:

Friday, January 16: 9am – 5pm
Saturday, January 17: 11am – 5pm
Sunday, January 18: Closed
Monday, January 19: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday, January 20: 9am – 5pm
Wednesday, January 21: 9am – 5pm
Thursday, January 22: 9am – 5pm
Friday, January 23: 9am – 5pm
Saturday, January 24: 9am – 5pm
Sunday, January 25: Closed
Monday, January 26: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday, January 27: 9am – 5pm
Wednesday, January 28: 9am – 5pm