CONRAD WISE CHAPMAN (AMERICAN, 1842-1910) SELF PORTRAIT, oil on artist's board, a bust-length depiction of the artist near the end of his life with a long white beard and medium length grey/white hair. Inscribed and signed "The Virginia State / Library / CW Chapman / Mexico / 1907". The back of the artist's board features an unfinished portrait of an unidentified lady wearing a pearl necklace. Housed in the likely original gilt gesso frame which appears to be earlier than the portrait itself. Painted for Monsieur Auguste Genin in Mexico, and later gifted to Chapman's widow Laura S. Chapman after the artist's death. Dated 1907. 23 1/4" x 19 1/4" sight, 29 1/4" x 25 1/4" OA.
Catalogue Note: The Valentine's records on this painting note that this was "painted for Genin in Mexico and Genin then presented it to Chapman's wife..." We can deduce that "Genin" is Auguste Genin based on another of Chapman's works sold at auction (Christies, 11/22/2006, lot 93) which bears an inscription reading "Pour Monsieur Auguste Genin par WChapman, Mexico 8 Octobre 1908" on the reverse.
Conrad Wise Chapman (1842-1910) was born in Washington, DC into what would become a family of artists. His father, John Gadsby Chapman (1808-1890), was an important 19th century artist best known for his monumental oil on canvas (12 feet by 18 feet), "The Baptism of Pocahontas" (1842), a work commissioned by the U.S. Government and displayed in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Building. Flush with success, John Gadsby Chapman left the United States in 1848 with his family, including six-year-old Conrad in tow, in order to pursue his artistic career in Europe. Learning from his father in Italy, France, and other locations, Conrad developed his talents early and was producing highly accomplished Italian landscapes in his mid-teens. Wherever the family traveled under the direction of their father, Conrad went as well, learning from his experiences and painting what he saw along the way. In 1861, however, nineteen-year-old Conrad, caught up the Romantic enthusiasm of the era, returned to the United States to fight for the Confederacy, enlisting in the 3rd Kentucky Regiment. He was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862 and went on to see action in the lower South early in the war before his transfer to Charleston, South Carolina in 1863. In Charleston, now recognized by General P. T. Beauregard and his staff for his artistic talents, Conrad Chapman was commissioned to paint a series of views of the city's defenses in an attempt to ease concerns and bolster the morale of Charleston's inhabitants. Chapman was present at the city's siege later in the year, and a number of his works from his time in Charleston survive. The artist went on to record more scenes from his experiences during the Civil War before he was granted a six-month furlough in 1864 to return to Europe in order to visit with his ailing mother. By the time of his scheduled return to enlisted duty with the Confederate Army, the war had ended, and Chapman was left at something of a loss. Uncertain of his and his country's future, he traveled with Confederate sympathizers in Texas and Mexico (a place he would continue to visit throughout his life) before returning to Europe to continue his career as an artist. Conrad Chapman moved in 1898 with his family to Richmond, Virginia where he would remain.

Excellent condition with only a few minor spots of touch-up inpainting in the background; surface possibly lightly professionally cleaned; frame with minor losses and minor restoration to elements of its original gilt surface.

Deaccessioned by the Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA to benefit collections care, preservations, and future acquisitions.