General John Rutledge, Jr. by Charles Fraser
noted in the artist's account book, 1820.

John Rutledge, Jr. (1766-1819), the son of John Rutledge, Signer and Governor of South Carolina, served as Congressman from South Carolina. A passionate Federalist, he supported Aaron Burr against Jefferson, founding the Charleston Courier (predecessor of the Post and Courier) to support his causes. Joining the South Carolina Militia in 1799, Rutledge served as commander of the Twenty-eighth Regiment in the War of 1812. He subsequently commanded the Seventh Brigade from 1816 until his death. Rutledge's life was fraught with controversy. Catching his wife in a "clandestine visit" with Dr. Horace Senter, Rutledge challenged him to a duel, fatally wounding the doctor. He and his wife, the mother of his nine children, separated in 1809. Rutledge died in Philadelphia. He is buried there in St. Peter's Churchyard.

Fraser painted two profile portraits of General Rutledge in 1820, the year after the General's death. The other miniature notes that they were "painted from memory." Both are noted in Fraser's account book, 1820.

Set in the original hinged red leather traveling case with red velvet lining. A loan label attached to the case says "Gen. John Rutledge -/ Owners/ The Misses Rutledge/ Greenville, S.C."


4 1/4 inches high.

Charles Fraser (1782-1860) documented the faces of Charleston, South Carolina for fifty years. A lawyer by training, he was admitted to the bar in 1807, practicing in Charleston until 1818 when he began painting miniatures full time. Not only was he Charleston's foremost miniaturist for his entire career, but one of the finest miniature painters in America. His early works showed the influence of his friend Edward Greene Malbone, with pale colors and delicate hatching, but by 1820, he had developed his own strong, distinctive style. His portraits were commanding, giving a strong sense of the sitter. Fraser's account book, now in the Gibbes Museum, Charleston, lists 633 works between 1818 and 1846.

Provenance: By descent in the Rutledge family until 2005.

Exhibited:   "The Fraser Gallery," At Charleston During the Months of February and March, 1857, the two versions
nnnnnnnnnn listed in the catalogue, no. 35 and 42.

nnnnnnnnnnCarolina Art Association, Gibbes Memorial Art Gallery, An Exhibition of Miniatures Owned in South
nnnnnnnnnnCarolina and Miniatures of South Carolinians Owned Elsewhere, painted before the year 1860, 1936, no 87.

sold

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