Items Similar to Early 19th Century Portrait of Naval Captain William Compton Bolton
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
Early 19th Century Portrait of Naval Captain William Compton Bolton
About the Item
Early 19th Century Portrait of Naval Captain William Compton Bolton (Anglo-American: 1799 - 1849), circa 1830s, an oil on canvas half-length portrait of a sea captain holding a spyglass and a navigational chart, leaning against the taffrail on the quarterdeck of his ship; there are other ships seen on the storm tossed sea in the background over each shoulder, beneath a very dramatic stormy sky with great bolt of lightening. There is a partial paper label from the period on the reverse inscribed "Bolton."
William Compton Bolton was born William Bolton Finch in England and became an officer in the United States Navy during the early 19th century. He became a midshipman in 1806, made lieutenant in 1813 and posted as a captain in 1831. He served with distinction aboard the US frigate Essex during the War of 1812, as both a midshipman and lieutenant from 1812 to 1814. He commanded Vincennes in 1829 and 1830 during her first around-the-world voyage by a US Navy vessel. He commanded the Pensacola Navy Yard from 1836 to 1837, and was master of the Brandywine from 1839 to 1841. He was made commander of the Mediterranean Squadron in 1848, and then commander of the Africa Squadron, billeted to the sloop-of-war Jamestown in maneuvers off the Cape Verde islands, Madeira and the Mediterranean.
Oddly, he changed his name from Finch to Bolton in 1833, as did his sister Elizabeth at the same time. William died in 1849 in Genoa.
This portrait was likely commissioned either while commander of the Vincennes in 1829 or 1830, or when he was posted as a captain in 1831. The painting is in very good condition with strong, vibrant colors and stable surface. There is a light amount of pleasant craquelure. There are three patches to be seen on the reverse, two of which are very old. The tears they repaired are barely discernible on the front, and then only on close inspection. The final photograph provided is an image of another portrait of Captain Bolton found online (posted by a former librarian at the Library of Congress).
The frigate Essex was built in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1799, and the actions of the Essex, its crew, and Captain David Porter shine as examples of the importance of the newly developing U.S. Navy and placing it on the world stage. She became the first U.S. Navy warship to round the Cape of Good Hope to protect merchant ships in the East Indies during the quasi-war with France. During the First Barbary War (1801 - 1805) she protected American shipping in the Mediterranean. In the War of 1812 she captured HMS Alert and then became the first U.S. Navy warship to sail into the Pacific Ocean and achieved great success against the British whaling fleet. She was later trapped by the British in the neutral port of Valparaiso, Chile, and captured after a two and a half hour battle when attempting to escape.
Measures: 23-1/2 in H x 19-1/2 in W
- Dimensions:Height: 23.5 in (59.69 cm)Width: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Style:Federal (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1830s
- Condition:Repaired: Three patches are seen on the reverse, two of which are very old. The tears they repair are barely discernible on the front, and then only on close inspection. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Nantucket, MA
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
1stDibs seller since 2010
239 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Nantucket, MA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- 19th Century China Trade Pair of Portraits of Sea Captain and WifeLocated in Nantucket, MA19th Century China Trade Pair of Portraits of Sea Captain and Wife, circa 1850s, matched pair of Chinese Export oil on canvas full length portraits of a Sea Captain and his wife, painted on commission in Hong Kong or a related China Trade port. The captain wears a double breasted wool greatcoat over a high collar white shirt with bow tie, black waistcoat...Category
Antique 1850s Hong Kong Victorian Paintings
MaterialsCanvas
- Early 19th Century Portrait of the Marsh Family Twins, by Arrowsmith, circa 1830Located in Nantucket, MAEarly 19th Century Portrait of the Marsh Family Twins, by Thomas Arrowsmith (English: 1772 - 1834), circa 1830, an oil on canvas group portrait of the celebrated five children of the Marsh family of Boston. The two pair of twin girls and their younger brother became well known on both sides of the Atlantic in their day, because sets of twins were pretty rare, and these children were so ridiculously cute. Apparently the greatest artists of their day were all clamoring to paint their portraits. The Magazine Antiques ran an article on the children and their popularity about 20 years ago. The short hair cuts sported by the girls are quite striking, and are actually not as odd and rare as many people assume. While longer hair enhanced with ringlets and other curls were very much the popular fashion, a good number of parents did boldly break away with these daring short bobs. Perhaps they were the "bohemians" of their day. The style grew in popularity, even among adults, following the French Revolution: dubbed "Guillotine Haircuts" they declared sympathy for the deposed royals. In this particular instance, I believe the short hair was chosen because it focused more attention on the beautiful faces, and lessened the variations in height and hair color to make them all look even more alike. A delightful painting, slightly Romantic School, a touch Folk Art, in excellent condition and signed on the reverse. Thomas Arrowsmith was a highly regarded artist who worked almost entirely in miniature. Such artists who created such amazingly detailed tiny portraits on ivory...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Empire Paintings
MaterialsCanvas
- Early 19th Century Belgian Genre Painting of a WeddingLocated in Nantucket, MAEarly 19th century Northern European Genre Painting of a Wedding, unsigned, late 18th or early 19th century, an oil on canvas finely detailed view of many celebratory figures in an i...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Belgian Rococo Paintings
MaterialsCanvas
- 19th C. Painting of a South Seas Whaling Scene, attributed to a Captain E. HowesLocated in Nantucket, MAAntique Painting of a South Seas Whaling Scene, attributed to a Captain E. Howes, mid 19th Century, an oil on canvas folk art seascape of the South Seas Whale...Category
Antique 1850s American Folk Art Paintings
MaterialsCanvas
- Portrait of George Washington, by William Matthew Prior, circa 1840sLocated in Nantucket, MAAntique Portrait of George Washington, by William Matthew Prior (American: 1806 - 1873), circa 1840s, an oil on board quarter-length portrait of George Washington, after the famous, ...Category
Antique 1840s American Federal Paintings
MaterialsWood
- 19th Century Pair of China Trade Portraits of an American Sailor and WifeLocated in Nantucket, MA19th Century Pair of China Trade Portraits of an American Sailor and His Wife, circa 1890s, two oil on canvas half length portraits of a young American Navy seaman (identified by his...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings
MaterialsCanvas
You May Also Like
- Early 19th Century Portrait of a GentlemanLocated in Buchanan, MIStately English oil on board portait of a gentleman in a giltwood frame.Category
Antique 19th Century English Paintings
- Early 19th Century Romantic PortraitLocated in Pasadena, CAThis is a moody portrait, possibly a self-portrait, by a very competent early 19th century romantic artist. The intense gaze of the subject hold...Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Romantic Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Wood, Paint
- Early 19th Century English PortraitLocated in Buchanan, MIEarly 19th century English portrait of a gentleman in gilt frame. Circle of Sir Henry Raeburn.Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Paintings
MaterialsCanvas
- Early 19th Century Female PortraitLocated in Houston, TXThe fair completed woman depicted in this Classic oval portrait is very soft in nature. The gentle shades of lilac and gray are complemented by her richly hued turquoise jacket and g...Category
Antique 19th Century Paintings
MaterialsGlass
- Beautiful Early 19th Century PortraitLocated in Stockbridge, GABeautiful early 19th century portrait dated and signed at the back. Portrait attributed to Berthon, student of David "The young girl and the c...Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Giltwood
- Early 19th Century Portrait of a Handsome GentlemanLocated in Essex, MAObviously influenced by Gilbert Stuart. A beautiful oil on canvas of an American or English statesman. Holding a scroll which reads "Petition Against the British Tax on (last word illegible)" In a Period Early American Portrait...Category
Antique 19th Century English Early Victorian Paintings
MaterialsCanvas