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Family Tree with Photographs
Artist unidentifed
United States
c. 1850–1860
Reverse painting…
Family Tree
Family Tree with Photographs
Artist unidentifed
United States
c. 1850–1860
Reverse painting…
Family Tree with Photographs Artist unidentifed United States c. 1850–1860 Reverse painting and foil on glass with ambrotypes 22 1/4 x 18 1/4" Collection American Folk Art Museum, New York Gift of Kristina Barbara Johnson, 1992.17.8 Photo by Gavin Ashworth
Record Details

Family Tree

Datec. 1850-1860
Place/RegionUnited States
MediumReverse painting and foil on glass with twelve applied ambrotypes
Dimensions22 1/4 × 18 1/4"
Credit LineGift of Kristina Barbara Johnson
Accession number1992.17.8
Description

Family histories were often maintained through hand-drawn or embroidered records that documented generations of family members. Such records usually include names as well as birth and death dates. Tress, with their many branches, were favored symbolic element. This unusually large example combines freehand painting and ambrotypes of a family with ten children. Judging by the appearance and placement of four of the young men, there might be two sets of male twins.

Lee Kogan, "Family Tree," FOILED: Tinsel Painting in America (New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2013), 91

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c. 1855–1865
1979.3.3
Tinsel Painting
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1860
1979.3.4
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1992.17.32
Silver Whale
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…
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1860-1880
1992.17.1
Garland of Flowers with Birdbath, Birds, and Urn
Artist unidentified
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c. 1860–1…
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c. 1860 - 1880
1992.17.5
Patriotic Wreath of Flowers with Corner Motifs
Artist unidentified
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c. 1880–191…
Artist unidentified
c. 1880–1910
1992.17.6