(American, 1773-1874)Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman, signed center right "S Broadbent", watercolor on ivory, 3 x 2 in.; copper casework - Note: Samuel Broadbent, Jr. was a miniature portrait painter and daguerreotypist who was born in Wethersfield, Connecticut. His parents were Dr. Samuel Broadbent (1759-1818) and Abigale Harris Broadbent (1773-1874). While details about his early life and education are unclear, he may have learned to paint portraiture from his father who was a traveling physician, surgeon, and limner in the Hartford area. After the death of his father in 1828 the family took up residence with Jacob Griswold, the oldest surviving son of Abigale Harris Broadbent (from her first marriage to Josiah Griswold). Samuel remained in the household of his half brother until at least 1830.Archival records collected by the Frick Collection indicate that Samuel Broadbent, Jr. was likely painting portrait miniature as early as 1831. By 1838, Broadbent was in Hartford and by 1839 he was advertising as a painter of portrait miniatures. The following year Broadbent was assisting artist and inventor Samuel Morse in his New York Studio. He subsequently opened studios in Philadelphia and Atlanta. He also advertised and traveled throughout the southern United States - Provenance: Private Collection, North Carolina interior with some dust but image surface crisp and unmarked; posterior compartment with bezel missing