American, 19th century
The Fowler Children
oil on canvas, 1854
49 x 61 1/4 inches
Gift of the Estate of Mrs. Ernest C. Schnuck, 1976.1
oil on canvas, 1854
49 x 61 1/4 inches
Gift of the Estate of Mrs. Ernest C. Schnuck, 1976.1
ARTIST INFO
John Nash Fowler (1812 - 1879), a wealthy shipowner and lumberman
originally from Clayton, New York, commissioned this portrait of his
youngest children in 1854. The painting's lush surface treatment and
precise detail show the hand of a talented and observant artist. Family
records refer to the painter only as "he" and state that he was from
Philadelphia. It is also known that the artist lived with the Fowler family for three months while working on the portrait. The unnamed painter was paid $300 for his services, a considerable sum for the time, attesting that his skill was well appreciated. Unfortunately, his identity remains unknown, as the work is unsigned and his name is not noted in any extant papers.
Philadelphia. It is also known that the artist lived with the Fowler family for three months while working on the portrait. The unnamed painter was paid $300 for his services, a considerable sum for the time, attesting that his skill was well appreciated. Unfortunately, his identity remains unknown, as the work is unsigned and his name is not noted in any extant papers.
