Collections record Beta

Oil Painting - Unidentified Man

1918-17-1

Oval oil on canvas painting of a bearded man, possibly cpoied from an engraving of a Dutch man. Man with gray hair, red skull cap, brown eyes, facing slighlty to the right, white collar and dark red coat.

Typed on Back: Hiram Matthews was the son of a stone mason who lived at the foot of the hill just west of Mr. MacMartin's on Prospect Street, and in his youth assissted his father in his work. Later his talent for drawing was discovered by his employer, my grandfather, Theron Beach, who upon one occasion noticed that the work apron worn by Hiram's father was decorated with a well drawn design in ink embodying the arms of the United States, etc. and upon inquiry learned that it was done by Hiram, who, it was then found was decidedly gifted both as an artist and musician. Some gentlemen in Litchfield, learning of his ability supplied him with paints, brushes, etc. and then, still without instruction, he produced numerous small oil paintings."

• Matthews, Hiram, 1836-

ca. 1860

Oval: 13 3/4" x 11 1/2"

• oil
• canvas