Nathaniel Russell
Russell miniature by Fraser
Name/Title
Nathaniel RussellEntry/Object ID
92.5.3Description
Charles Fraser (American, 1782-1860) Nathaniel Russell (1738-1820) Charleston, SC 1818 Watercolor on ivory in original case Inscribed: Fraser/Painter, below in pencil Mr. Russell of Charleston/from life by C.Fraser/Painter Charles Fraser (American, 1782-1860) Nathaniel Russell Charleston, SC, 1818 Watercolor on ivory in original case, H. 3 5/8 x W. 2 13/16 inches; H. 6 7/8 x W. 5 1/4 x D. 1/2 (case) inches Inscribed: Fraser/Painter, below in pencil Mr. Russell of Charleston/from life by C.Fraser/Painter Historic Charleston Foundation, Charleston, SC, gift of Mrs. Henry M. Abbot, 92.5.3 Born in Bristol, Rhode Island, Nathaniel Russell came to Charleston at the age of twenty-seven. He was such a successful merchant that he rose to a position of great wealth and prominence in his adopted city. Internationally connected, he frequently corresponded and partnered with the most successful businessmen of his day, including Aaron Lopez (1731-1782) and Nicholas Brown (1729-1791) of Rhode Island and Elias Derby (1739-1799) of Massachusetts. At the age of seventy, Russell built one of the grandest federal-style dwellings in America at 51 Meeting Street, now operated as a house museum by Historic Charleston Foundation. Renowned Charleston artist Charles Fraser painted this miniature of Russell only a few years before Russell's death. The entry for the commission is the first in Fraser's account book, dated 1818 to 1839, showing Russell paid fifty dollars for his miniature. Although Fraser rarely left his native Charleston, his work was widely admired and he corresponded with the nation's most notable individuals, including John C. Calhoun, the Marquis de Lafayette and George Washington, as well as the artists Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Sully and John Trumbull. BSC Brandy Culp and Fielding Freed, Grandeur Preserved: The House Museums of Historic Charleston Foundation (Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2008), 1-2. Martha R. Severens and Charles L. Wyrick Jr., Charles Fraser of Charleston, Essays on the Man, His Art and His Times (Charleston, SC: Carolina Art Association, 1983), 1-2.Artwork Details
Medium
Ivory, watercolor on ivoryCollection
Historic Charleston Foundation CollectionAcquisition
Accession
92.5.Source or Donor
Abbot, Mrs. HenryAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Gift of Mrs. Henry M. AbbotMade/Created
Artist
Fraser, Charles, 1782-1860Date made
1818 - 1818Place
City
CharlestonState/Province
South CarolinaCountry
United States of AmericaLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
PaintingNomenclature Class
ArtNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsSearch Terms
MiniaturesOther Name
MiniatureDimensions
Height
4 inWidth
3-1/4 inDimension Notes
Framed: W:5.25"; H:6"; D:.125"Location
Location
Room
303Building
Nathaniel Russell HouseCategory
PermanentMoved By
SJDate
July 28, 2004Location
Room
303Building
Nathaniel Russell HouseCategory
PermanentMoved By
SJDate
July 28, 2004Location
Building
NR 303 C3Category
PermanentMoved By
SJDate
July 28, 2004Location
Room
303Building
Nathaniel Russell HouseMoved By
June HawkinsDate
June 24, 2002Notes
Until: / /Location
Building
NR Exhibition GalleryCategory
PermanentRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Russell, NathanielPerson or Organization
Fraser, CharlesRelated Entries
Notes
2005.003.0016, 58.28.1Related Publications
Notes
"Charles Fraser of Charleston: Essays on the Man, His Art and His Times" edited by Martha Severens and Charles F. Wyrick Listed in Frasers account book - first entry for 1818, cost $50Provenance
Notes
Last Owner: Descended in the Russell family through the dehon side, to Mrs. Abbot Descended through the Dehon side of the Russell family.Exhibitions
10
16