Collections record Beta

Collection Record Detail

Object Name

Oil Painting - Dr. Thomas O'Hara Croswell

Object Number

1975-99-1 A

Description

Oil on board or paper portrait of Dr. Thomas O'Hara Croswell. Dr. Croswell is shown from the waist up, an older gentleman with thinning brown hair. He is wearing a dark jacket, with a white shirt, cravat, and vest. Set against a dark background; later frame, bronze painted wood, marked "MADE IT ITALY." "Painted by H. Bridport/ Catskill/ Aug. 1822" written on frame backing.

Provenance

Until 2017, the sitters in this portrait and it's companion portrait (1975-99-1 B) were unidentified. A search of the archival collection matched this portrait to a photograph in the Pierce, Brace, Loring, Croswell, and Hopkins Portraits collection. It is believed the photograph was taken of this original work. The back of the photograph contained handwritten notes about the piece's provenance, although the writing is incomplete along the right edge. "Taken from the portrait [ ] that belonged to Grandfather [ ] Brace - M. H Loring 1898/Dr. Thomas O'Hara Croswell [ ] 50 years post-master of Catskill [ ] first appointed by [ ]." It is possible that the Brace mentioned is Abel Brace, nephew of Dr. Croswell through marriage. Abel studied medicine with his uncle in Catskill, staying in the town to practice medicine and even operating a drug store with Croswell.

Comment

Thomas O'Hara Croswell (1767-1844) came to Litchfield, Connecticut when he was young and lived as a "half servant" in the home of Tapping Reeve. He attended local schools and at the age of 19 he went to live with Dr. Reuben Smith to study apothecary. He later studied with Dr. Daniel Sheldon. He moved to Catskill, NY before returned in 1790 to be Dr. Smith's partner. On July 18, 1791 he married Ruth Pierce, older sister of Sarah Pierce, and the following year they moved to Catskill. Hugh Bridport immigrated to Philadelphia in 1816 at the encouragement of the artist Thomas Sully. He founded a drawing academy with his brother and built a successful career. Bridport was a founding member of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, and taught drawing there for six years.