A gentleman, by Thomas Seir Cummings, N.A., signed circa 1850.
Conservation mounted within a period gilt wood frame.
3 3/8 inches high. Frame: 9 ½ inches high.
Thomas Seir Cummings, N.A., (1804-1894) wrote "Works in miniature should possess the same beauty of composition, correctness of drawing, breadth of light and shade, brilliancy, truth of colour, and firmness of touch, as works executed on a larger scale." This exactly describes Cummings' own work. As a child, he studied with John Rubens Smith, before going to work for Henry Inman in 1821. By 1824, Cummings had become a partner. They many times signed works together. In 1827, Inman turned exclusively to oil portraits, leaving Cummings, according to William Dunlop "the best-instructed miniature painter then in the United States." With Inman, Samuel F. B. Morse and others, Cummings founded the National Academy of Design in 1826. He taught there for over 30 years, leaving an indelible mark on the next generations of artists. Cummings was one of the 19th century's most important miniaturists.
Conservation mounted within a period gilt wood frame.
turned exclusively to oil portraits, leaving Cummings, according to William Dunlop "the best-instructed miniature painter then in the United States." With Inman, Samuel F. B. Morse and others, Cummings founded the National Academy of Design in 1826. He taught there for over 30 years, leaving an indelible mark on the next generations of artists. Cummings was one of the 19th century's most important miniaturists.