Johnson went to Europe in 1849 to learn techniques for creating figure paintings in oil. However, he had been a professional portrait draughtsman in Boston and Washington, D.C. for at least five years before that. In those early drawings he had a keen sense of creating heads using light tones and shadowed areas to create a strong three-dimensional effect. Studying the works of Rembrandt at The Hague inspired him to use the same techniques for his oil portraits. —PH
William Walton, "Eastman Johnson, Painter," 1906: "It is Mr. [George Henry] Hall's recollection that his [Johnson's] first painted portrait was that of Whittredge."
Inscribed on verso, on backing board, upper center to upper right: Eastman Johnson Worthington Whittredge
Inscribed on verso, on backing board, upper left: 3500
Stamp on verso, on backing board, upper right: PHOTO
Inscribed on verso, on backing board, upper center: BOX 24-1
Inscribed on verso, on backing board, upper center: (in circle) 68
Inscribed on verso, on backing board, upper left: JOHNSON, E. / W. WHITTREDGE / 11" x 8" / W1400 NEG # 4923
Label on verso, on backing board, center left: THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA / TUCSON, ARIZONA 85721 / UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY / EXHIBITION / American Painting / 1765-1963
Label on verso, on backing board, center: ARTIST JOHNSON, EASTMAN DATES 1824-1906 / TITLE WORTHINGTON WHITTREDGE / SIGNED lw/left / SIZE and MEDIUM 11x8-OIL / STOCK NO. W14000 NEG. NO. 4923 / KENNEDY GALLERIES, INC. / 20 EAST 56TH STREET · NEW YORK, N.Y. 10022 / Founded 1874 by H. Wunderlich 758-3850
Label on verso, on backing board, lower center: CINCINNATI / (icon) ART / MUSEUM / Great Art In Eden Park / 953 Eden Park Drive Cincinnati, OH 45202 / Eastman Johnson (American, 1824-1906). Thomas / Worthington Whittredge N.A., ca. 1854 / oil on canvas, attached to board / Museum Purchase: Bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Walter J / Wichgar, 1999.244 / ART MUSEUM / www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org
Inscribed on verso, on frame liner, upper center: Kennedy Match to frame
Inscribed on verso, on board, upper left: A2179
Inscribed on verso, on board, upper left: 98371 / M5X
Inscribed on verso, on board, center: Kennedy
Detached frame plate: 1824 EASTMAN JOHNSON 1906
Thomas Worthington Whittredge (1820–1910). American landscape painter and friend of Johnson. Studied at the Düsseldorf Academy, 1849–1854, and remained in Europe until 1859. Posed for both George Washington and the steersman in Emanuel Leutze's Washington Crossing the Delaware.
- Portrait pose:
- Occupations: