Richard Mullikin by
Anson Dickinson, circa 1810.

This portrait  is one of a group of tiny profiles painted by Dickinson early in his career.  For an extremely similar example, see Dickinson's portrait of Robert Broome in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
 
With the miniature is a note from Ruth Elizabeth Wade (Mrs. Adrian Hughes), identifying the sitter as her great-grandfather, Richard B. Mullikin.  Mullikin was born in 1812.   Because of the subject's age, It is more likely that the sitter is actually Richard B. Mullikin's father, Richard D. Mullikin (1777-1817).  The Mullikins were prosperous planters from Prince George's county, Maryland.    Richard Duckett Mullikin was the son of Belt Mullikin and Mary Duckett.   He married Eliza Pannell.  Their son, Richard Belt Mullikin was born in 1812.   He married Eleanor Cooke Ogle.  Their great granddaughter was Ruth Elizabeth Wade, from whom this portrait descended.
 
Set in a gold brooch with pearl surround.
 
7/8 inch high.
 

During the first half of the 19th century, Anson Dickinson (1779-1852) was one of the most important miniaturists in America .  A native of Litchfield, Connecticut, Dickinson was established as a miniaturist in Hartford by 1802 and in New York City by 1804.  Itinerant by choice, between 1810 and 1846, Dickinson worked in New York, Albany, Charleston, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, New Haven, Litchfield, Buffalo and Montreal.  His account book covers 48 years, documenting over 1500 miniatures.  Dickinson's distinguished clientele included Edward Livingston (Metropolitan Museum of Art), General Jacob Brown, Washington Irving, General P. B. Porter, Sam Houston and Gilbert Stuart (New York Historical Society). 

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Elle Shushan - Fine Portrait Miniatures
Philadelphia, PA      215.587.0000
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