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- 19th Century American Drawing
- Levi Jones (of Union, NH) , circa 1825
- watercolor on ragboard
- 22 3/4 in. x 19 7/8 in. (57.79 cm x 50.48 cm)
- Mr. Willson (aka Wilson) (active 1820s - )
- American
- Gift of Elizabeth Jones, 1974.29
- Not on View
Interpretive text from Exploring American Art: An Online Resource for the American Collections
Much more is known about farmer and tavern keeper Levi Jones (1771-1847) than about the "Mr. Willson" who painted him. Born in Lebanon, Maine, to a family with roots in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Jones served for a number of years (1811-22) as town clerk of nearby Milton and then (1822-24) became Representative to the General Court. It may be that he commissioned this portrait to commemorate his ascension to the latter office. Jones had extensive landholdings in Milton and also kept a tavern on the main road from Portsmouth to Wolfeboro. The sign for his tavern (Currier Museum of Art) survives; it bears the date 1810 and the Masonic emblems of keys, square, and compass. Jones was quite active in the Masonic Order, serving three times as Master of Humane Lodge number 21 (which he helped found). His involvement with the Masons was good business as well as good fellowship; his inn probably functioned as a meeting place for the lodge.
Jones was married twice, first in 1801 to Betsy Plummer of Milton, who died in 1815, and again in 1831, to Sally Wallingford of that town. Their only child, Charles Jones, was born three years later. Jones died at the age of seventy-six, in Milton.
The distinctive features of this watercolor portrait of Levi Jones-the bust-length, three-quarter view format, the facial features (including the nose, shown in profile) delineated with a single stroke of paint, the hair rendered with rhythmic, feathery strokes-are characteristic of a group of portraits attributed to a "Mr. Willson." Willson, known only from his signature on a portrait in the New York State Historical Association, Cooperstown, seems to have been active in the 1820s. He was probably from southern New Hampshire, where this and several related portraits attributed to him were found. Willson's clear, linear style was admirably suited to the strong, rugged features of Levi Jones and to his obvious taste for fashion. Jones's brightly patterned vest, pleated stock, and tight-fitting coat with velvet collar are vividly rendered; the stylishness of his apparel, as well as his commanding expression, promote Jones's stature as a leader of his community.
CT
REFERENCES
Paul S. D'Ambrosio and Charlotte M. Emans. Folk Art's Many Faces: Portraits in the New York State Historical Association. Cooperstown, NY: New York State Historical Association, 1987. Pp. 162-63.
Robert M. Doty. By Good Hands: New Hampshire Folk Art. Ex. cat. Currier Gallery of Art, 1989. Pp. 2, 7.’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’
The information presented here is reviewed regularly and may change as result of ongoing research.
