A lady and gentleman by Frederick R. Spencer, N.A., signed & dated 1828.
Set in the original gilt metal mounts within a fruitwood frame.
Each portrait: 3 inches high.
Frederick R. Spencer, N.A. (1806-1875), who served on the board of directors of the American Academy and as Corresponding Secretary of the National Academy of Design, was born in Lennox, New York, the son of General Ichabod S. Spencer. Inspired to be an artist by seeing some portraits by Ezra Ames, Spencer received instruction at the age of fifteen from William Dunlop while Dunlop was exhibiting in Utica. In 1825, Spencer studied at the American Academy and the National Academy before working first in Albany and then in New York City as a portrait and genre painter from 1831- 1857. There are only a handful of miniature portraits by Spencer, who did not work professionally as a miniaturist. The Connecticut Historical Society has a pair, dated 1830, after originals by Anson Dickinson.
Set in the original gilt metal mounts within a fruitwood frame. 
Utica. In 1825, Spencer studied at the American Academy and the National Academy before working first in Albany and then in New York City as a portrait and genre painter from 1831- 1857. There are only a handful of miniature portraits by Spencer, who did not work professionally as a miniaturist. The Connecticut Historical Society has a pair, dated 1830, after originals by Anson Dickinson.