Fine DaLee
Portrait Miniature 

Likely Massachusetts, Connecticut or New York State, ca. 1840.
Watercolor, graphite, ink, and gum arabic on wove paper. Precisely painted showing a pleasant looking, smartly attired, husky young gentleman seated in half-length.

The portrait has the distinctive look of itinerant artist Justus DaLee and his family, painted by Justus-or possibly by his oldest son Amon-who accompanied Justus on his travels. In the research paper by Joan Brownstein and Elle Shushan, Magazine Antiques: “Side Painters-Differentiating the DaLee Family Artists”, a documented Amon DaLee portrait has the subject sitting in an identical chair as in this portrait.  

Excellent condition with just minor abrasions at the bottom. Presented in a beautiful molded gilt frame that is probably original. The “package” of the frame and portrait is unusually appealing. Frame size about 5 inches x 4 ½.