Sylvia Stephanie Livingston Drayton

Art

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Entry/Object ID

MP.98.2 a-b

Description

a. Painting: Large portrait of a young, dark haired woman, dressed in post-Civil War style gown; she is probably in the last stages of mourning. Her gray gown is adorned with purple bows and some black lace, and is possibly part of her mourning attire. She has brown eyes and pale skin. Her off-shoulder gown forms a "V" at both the bodice and waist. The bottom of the dress is hoop style with black sheer fabric covering the pattern. On each wrist she is wearing a black mourning band, each with large black oval brooch. In her left hand she clasps a miniature. On her left hand she wears one ring, and on her right she wears two rings: One of large turquoise and the other of diamonds. All rings are set in gold. From the upper left hand corner of the painting to the chair upon which she leans flows diagonally a red drapery. Behind the drapery is a gardenscape. Portrait is set in plaster Rococo-revival gilt frame. b. Frame: Highly three-dimensional (from interior to exterior): 1 3/8" wide liner with concave interior lip; approximately 1 1/4" wide band of flowers, S- and C-scrolls and ruffles in relatively low relief; 1/4" wide plain band with convex molded edge; approximately 2" wide section in high relief rising to edge of nearly 3-dimensional cyma curva - cyma versa edge with ornate floral and scrolling elements; centers and corners contain an elaborate central cartouche with a garland of flowers flowing from other side; places where cyma curves meet are also marked by flowers; a band of raised lozenges contained within foliate ovals runs around the edge of the frame proper. Frame: Three liner corners separated (except viewer's lower left); random losses of gilt and gesso on ornate frame at top; top and bottom of center cartouche loss of elements, loss of element center right. On right side: Loss of exterior edge on central cartouche. On bottom: Wear on gilt on either side of central section; wear on gilt on C-shaped element lower left. On left side: Loss of exterior edge on central cartouche, slight wear on gilt on some curved foliate elements; nail tacked into side 1/4 way from top.

Artwork Details

Medium

Plaster, Gilt, Gesso, Oil Paint, Canvas, Plaster, Gilt, Gesso, Oil Paint, Canvas

Subject Person or Organization

Sylvia S. Livingston Drayton

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

George Peter Alexander Healy

Attribution

Artist

Date made

circa 1860

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Transcription

Label on back of frame: "Sylvia Stephanie, born June 13, 1832/ daughter of Mortimer Livingston/ married first October 1850 - Captain/ William Sydney Drayton USN/ Secondly January 8, 1868 Richard Temple/ Godman Kirkpatrick of H. B. M. Diplomatic/ Service. Died at Windcliffe - Niton - Isle of Wight November 16, 1882." Stenciled on back of canvas: "William Stevens Williams & C. Looking Glass ware Rooms and Art Repository/ Drawings, Art Materials/ 53(?) Broadway, New York." Also on reverse, written in pencil: "Delafield/ xPrendergast" (CofG) Torn label: "_____Vens, Williams & Co., _____and Manufacturers of _____ors, Portrait & Picture Frames, & C. Print Publishers and Artists Colormen, English, French and German Engravings, Oil Paints, & c./ 353 Broadway, New York;." "M Healy" (written by hand in pencil) "Mr. Hearns? Entered______ Collect______ Paid"

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

MP.98.2 A-B

MP.98.2a-b

Dimensions

Dimension Description

frame

Height

72 in

Width

48 in

Depth

3-1/2 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 72 x 48 x 3 1/2 in. (182.9 x 121.9 x 8.9 cm)

Dimension Description

sight

Height

61-1/2 in

Width

46-1/2 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 61 1/2 x 46 1/2 in. (156.2 x 118.1 cm)

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Details of condition: Overall crazing of canvas, yellowing of varnish.

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Brigadier General John Ross Delafield

Notes

Former owner

Person or Organization

Sylvia S. Livingston Drayton

Notes

Subject

General Notes

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Montgomery Place, Livingston Bedroom

Note Type

Department

Note

Curatorial