Hi Tamra,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Profile portraits have a great place in the canon of American portraiture, from those rendered in oil in canvas or board as this, to pen and ink examples on paper about one-fourth this size to miniature portraits rendered in watercolor on ivory small enough to be worn on a chain or carried in a pocket. Artists who are known for preferring profiles to full-on or three-quarter examples include James Sharples, Ruth Hensaw Bascom, Jacob Eicholtz, Justus Dalee, Jacob Maentel and many more.

When a portrait is unsigned, unless there is compelling surviving historical evidence to connect a portrait with a particular region and time, most auctioneers and folk art dealers will simply say "American School"; that's an appropriate designation in this instance as I have combed all of my research book on American folk portraiture and can't find any likenesses by other painter similar enough to warrant an attribution.

In the current market, this painting would probably sell within $300 and $500 at auction.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

American School, mid 19th Century
Portrait of a Gentleman
oil on board
24 by 18 inches
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition.
PROVENANCE: Acquired at an estate sale
$300-500*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia