Painting

Title:

Benjamin Thompson's Farewell

Object Name:

Painting

Object ID:

2002.007

Creator:

LaMont, Daniel G. (1817-1883) -- Artist

Place of Origin:

Concord, NH

Date:

1850

Description:

Painting, "Benjamin Thompson's Farewell," by Daniel G. LaMont (1817-1883), 1850. Oil on canvas. Depicts Benjamin Thompson (later Count Rumford) saying goodbye to his wife, Sarah Walker Rolfe Thompson, in 1775, before leaving for England. Their daughter Sarah (later Countess Rumford) is shown in the arms of the Thompsons' slave, Dinah. Ink inscription on reverse of canvas, upper left: "This, of my Father taking leave of / my Mother, leaving me an infant in the / arms of a favorite slave Dinah. / I give as a mark of friendship to / my Cousin Mr. Joseph B. Walker Esq. / Concord 9th Dec. 1850 / by Countess Sarah Rumford." Pencil inscription on reverse of canvas, right center: "Painted by order / of the Countess of Rumford / October 10th 1850 / Concord N.H. / By / D G LaMont / New York". Stencilled on reverse of canvas: "BINANT / PARIS." Gilded gesso over wood frame with convex center molding.

Material:

Textile

Dimensions:

H-21.6 W-20.1 inches

Provenance:

Descended in Walker family to donor's mother, Josephine Walker Woodman.

Credit Line:

Gift of Timothy W. Woodman

People:

Thompson, Benjamin (1753-1814), Thompson, Sarah Walker (1739-1792), Thompson, Sarah (1774-1852), Count Rumford, LaMont, Daniel G. (1817-1883)

Subjects:

Abandoned children, Memory, Portrait paintings, Portraits, Servants, Slave