Clarissa Peters
Portrait miniature of William Henry Baldrey, circa 1850
Watercolor on ivory in the original daguerreotype case
Together with a note inscribed William Henry son of Capt. and Mrs. Samuel Baldrey died age 10 mos. 15 days, set in a leather carrying case.
Together with a note inscribed William Henry son of Capt. and Mrs. Samuel Baldrey died age 10 mos. 15 days, set in a leather carrying case.
Sight size 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches
A truly beautiful portrait miniature of a young child holding a canary. The portrait contains all the bells and whistles we love and expect from works by Clarissa Peters (Mrs....
A truly beautiful portrait miniature of a young child holding a canary. The portrait contains all the
bells and whistles we love and expect from works by Clarissa Peters (Mrs. Moses B. Russell). The
large, soulful eyes with the iris and eyelids distinctively outlined so that the eyes are the most
prominent part of the portrait and draw you in. The mouth small, almost pinched, and set off with
small marks at the corners, and a slight shadow below the bottom lip. Clarissa Peters' work always
expresses an innocence and, although naïve, is very detailed.
According to papers kept with this miniature, the child is William Henry Baldrey. William was born
to Captain Samuel Baldrey and wife, Mary Collins Baldrey. William was born May 6, 1850 and
tragically died at ten months old on March 23, 1851. So many children and mothers were lost in
those pre-modern-medicine days that memorial paintings were often sought after the death. We
don’t know whether Clarissa Peters was commissioned for this piece during William’s short live or
after his passing. However, symbolism has been suggested that the canary in hand shows his
departed soul. The wind swept look of his skirt and the ethereal depiction of the clouds gives the
impression of weightlessness and movement as his soul ascends to the Heavens.
This small portrait in a leather traveling case would have allowed his mother or father to always
carry William close to their hearts and eyes. This portrait is in excellent condition and in its original
red leather case with green fabric lining. The case shows minor wear as expected. Sight size is 2” x
2 ¾”, size of the closed case is 3 ¼” x 4”.
bells and whistles we love and expect from works by Clarissa Peters (Mrs. Moses B. Russell). The
large, soulful eyes with the iris and eyelids distinctively outlined so that the eyes are the most
prominent part of the portrait and draw you in. The mouth small, almost pinched, and set off with
small marks at the corners, and a slight shadow below the bottom lip. Clarissa Peters' work always
expresses an innocence and, although naïve, is very detailed.
According to papers kept with this miniature, the child is William Henry Baldrey. William was born
to Captain Samuel Baldrey and wife, Mary Collins Baldrey. William was born May 6, 1850 and
tragically died at ten months old on March 23, 1851. So many children and mothers were lost in
those pre-modern-medicine days that memorial paintings were often sought after the death. We
don’t know whether Clarissa Peters was commissioned for this piece during William’s short live or
after his passing. However, symbolism has been suggested that the canary in hand shows his
departed soul. The wind swept look of his skirt and the ethereal depiction of the clouds gives the
impression of weightlessness and movement as his soul ascends to the Heavens.
This small portrait in a leather traveling case would have allowed his mother or father to always
carry William close to their hearts and eyes. This portrait is in excellent condition and in its original
red leather case with green fabric lining. The case shows minor wear as expected. Sight size is 2” x
2 ¾”, size of the closed case is 3 ¼” x 4”.
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