PO Box 2135
Asheville, NC 28802
United States
Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Brunk Auctions has been conducting sales of fine and decorative arts for over 30 years. Auctions are held in our North Carolina sale room but attracts a global audience. Founded by Robert Brunk in 1983, the auctions became well known for their integrity and profes...Read more
Two ways to bid:
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
Dec 31, 2022
(Pennsylvania/Britain, 1783-1872)
Portrait of the Biddle Brothers, possibly Alexander (1814-1888) and Clement (1810-1879), unsigned, painted circa 1870-75, oil on canvas mounted on board, 22-1/2 x 22-11/16 in.; original carved gilt wood frame, round spandrel, 31-3/4 x 31-3/4 x 3 in.
Provenance: Sumpter Priddy III, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia, 2009 (this lot is accompanied by a copy of the original sales receipt); Private Collection
Note: According to Biddle family tradition, this engaging portrait depicts the brothers Alexander (1814-1888) and Clement (1810-1879), of Philadelphia. However, their life dates raise doubts about this attribution and leave open the question of which members of he extended Biddle family the painting does actually portray. What is not in doubt is the close association of Thomas Sully with the Biddle Family after the artist moved to Philadelphia in 1807. In all, Sully listed 26 paintings of different members of the Biddle Family of Philadelphia in the personal register he kept throughout his career. It is also well known that Sully neglected to record a number of portraits in this list, so while helpful it is not a complete catalog of his work. Other paintings, both signed and attributed do not appear in his personal records. Interestingly, recorded in his list is a portrait that he painted of the mother of the supposed sitters, Mrs. Clement Biddle (d. 1831), whom Sully painted in 1824.
Sumpter Priddy III, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia, 2009 (this lot is accompanied by a copy of the original sales receipt); Private Collection
Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.