Thomas Hardwick (United States, about 1836-50)


Figure 1.--Thomas is named on the reverse of the wonderful silhouette as Thomas Hardwick (the brother of Mrs Fanny Upton). Thomas is an American boy, although we do not know where in America he is from. He looks to be wearing a dress with with a cape and large white collar.

Thomas is named on the reverse of the wonderful silhouette as Thomas Hardwick (the brother of Mrs Fanny Upton). This is a charming full-length cut silhouette portrait. The silhouette has been cut and gilded with watercolour detailing on his collar and on the background. It is housed in a simple rosewood frame. Thomas is an American boy, although we do not know where in America he is from. He looks to be wearing a dress, although we can not see the bodice. We do note button sleeves. He also wears a cape or jacket and broad white collar. A reader mentions a pelisse coat. I'm not sure what that means. He wears three-quarter socks and what look to be ankle strap shoes. In his hand he holds a cap. I'm not sure just what style. It may be atam-o'-shanter with its tassel, but I think it may be a military style peaked cap. He was probably about 5 years old when the silhouette was made which would date it to about 1840-41. It seems poor Thomas died at school in Roundhay, Leeds in 1850 when he was just 14 years old. Notice the hair style, parted on one side and then just combed straight over. I have no idea what the name of this style was. We will call it a "straight across" comb until we learn of a better name. We have seen it, however, on other boys in the 1840s.







HBC





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Created: 7:36 PM 12/19/2005
Last updated: 7:36 PM 12/19/2005