Jeffrey S. Evans & Assoc., Inc.
Live Auction

June 27, 2026: 50th Semi-Annual Premier Americana: Day Three

Sat, Jun 27, 2026 09:00AM EDT
  2026-06-27 09:00:00 2026-06-27 09:00:00 America/New_York Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates : June 27, 2026: 50th Semi-Annual Premier Americana: Day Three https://live.jeffreysevans.com/auctions/jeffrey-evans/june-27-2026-50th-semi-annual-premier-americana-day-three-23178
Jeffrey S. Evans & Assoc., Inc. info@jeffreysevans.com
Lot 2366

LAWRENCE SULLY (IRELAND / VIRGINIA 1769-1803) MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF A SEMI-NUDE WOMAN

Estimate: $500 - $800
Starting Bid
$250

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$30,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

LAWRENCE SULLY (IRELAND / VIRGINIA 1769-1803) MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF A SEMI-NUDE WOMAN, watercolor, depicting a young maiden with a hairstyle in the French fashion, her white draping dress leaves one breast exposed, verso is a hand-written label reading "L. Sully / Miniature & Fancy Painter / Richmond." with "1789" written in pencil beneath, the label has a printed bead detail around the outer edge and is crowned by a printed urn and garland motif which is partially cut-off at the top implying that it may be a label for something larger that the artist cut down for this purpose. Housed in the likely original yellow gold frame that tested between 14K and 18K gold fineness, possibly made by Richmond silver and goldsmith William Richardson. Circa 1795. 2 5/8" x 2 1/4" OA.
Catalogue Note: Born in Ireland, Lawrence Sully (1769-1803) immigrated with his family to the United States in 1792, establishing himself in the nascent, growing city of Richmond. The elder brother of fellow portraitist, Thomas Sully, the two worked in Richmond and Norfolk through the end of the 18th century, until Lawrence was supposedly mortally wounded in a brawl in 1803. Thomas later married his brother's widow and provided for his children.
The light/allegorical subject matter of this miniature is something scholars have attributed to Lawrence Sully's early works, and very few, if any, other nudes are known in his oeuvre.
Another interesting component of this piece is the label which appears to advertise Sully's offerings. It's likely that this piece was not commissioned as so many of his known works are, but rather a piece that was made for retail. The name of the subject is unknown, and she may be after another work of art, or possibly an invention of the artist.

Condition

Excellent condition with very minute areas of discoloration to the portrait; the frame with minute surface wear.

Provenance

Descended through the Burton / George family of Richmond, VA. Probably from Anna Burton George (1808-1855) to her daughter Ellen Burton George Boykin (1845-1915) to her daughters (presumably "The Misses Boykin" as referenced by the exhibition catalogue).

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