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.
