(American, 19th Century)

Gentleman with Green Tinted Glasses and Spy Glass, not visibly signed, New York colourman stamp canvas verso,  30 x 25 in. period gilt wood frame, 37 x 32-1/4 in.

Provenance: Private Collection, Asheville, North Carolina

Note: This work shows a man with extreme photophobia, where one eye is more sensitive to light than the other. The shade is an attempt to balance out the reception of light. The condition was commonly seen in people with syphilis, which was a common condition of sea captains. Our thanks to Mass General Hospital for this insight. 

crackle, two old visible patch repairs canvas verso, with subsequent retouch recto, area of paint loss and near-puncture on spy glass, small puncture at left of face, stretcher marks, area of loss/scratch at lower left edge; frame with wear wear, chips, losses, abrasions, cracks to gilding, separation at corners, all commensurate with age