Trying to identify the artist and value of this 1800's Portrait.

This portrait was part of a military collection in our family . It is a portrait of Winfield Scott. from the mid 1800's. I have found a signature on the right lower corner which reads "TJ. It is 12x18in.
I have been searching for who may have been the artist . It seems to be done by someone with real talent for portrait painting. I was hoping someone may have some knowledge or run across these initials from this period. Thanks for any input.

 

That is "Gen. Winfield Scott."

 

I made a quick check of this list and didn't find a promising candidate among artists with initials T.J., but u should take a more careful look, if u think "T.J." is an artist's initials..

http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/artA-Z/artj

 

I think the composition is odd: low on the picture surface and off center to the left. That doesn't seem consistent with the quality of the portrait. Might have been trimmed from a larger painting.

 

Agree although I'm fairly ignorant about flat art. Sitter's right shoulderboard is cut off which just doesn't seem like anything that would normally occur in a period portrait. Makes me think it was indeed a much larger portrait, perhaps even full body, that got damaged in a flood or whatever and this was the only part that was salvageable.

 

The OP's painting was painted after an engraving by Charles Holl from a daguerrotype (engraving) by Mathew Brady...

 

Good research, Nuff!

 

Old Fuss and Feathers doesn't look as if he were a very jolly man...

 

YES...excellent as a matter of fact !!!!

 

Old Fuss and Feathers doesn't look as if he were a very jolly man...

Army officers had to pay for their own horse fodder back then and at times for junior officers they may actually have had to decide whether the horse or the officer got to eat on a given day; the horse most likely won, u know what happens if they skip meals.

Also, deodorant hadn't yet been invented, nor was daily bathing always possible.

 

FUN TIMES !!!!!!

 

Thanks for the input. I also thought this was a potrait done of Mathew Brady's photo. I read he also apprenticed in painting. I will try to get a better shot of the initials TJ for the forum. Thanks again for the help everyone.

 

These photos are the boarders .

 

Does anyone have any experience or suggestions on sites to sell art like this.

 

He was an amazing man indeed. You may wish to read about him as we were lucky to have him on our side. I would love to have him but likely cannot afford him. I would suggest a militaria auction.

 

Militaria auctions

 

???

 

Sorry about that. I was wondering if anyone could suggest. A reputable ON -LINE auction
House?

 

Ah! Sorry. I don't know of anything well enough to recommend. I am talking with Bonhams about something at this time but not militaria.

 

When you say reputable ON-LINE auction house, dou you mean on-line only (like eBay) or a real bricks and mortar auction house with an on-line presence (like liveauctioneers.com or invaluable.com)?