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Lot Essay
Portraits in profile attributed to Blunt are extremely rare. Certain elements and design conventions are associated with his work, most notably the "celery tree" foliage in the background. Additionally, they are housed in frames that are similar to Captain Amasa Wood and Family, a set of portraits that are attributed to Blunt, circa 1831-1832 (see Nina Fletcher Little Little By Little (New York, 1984), p. 115, fig. 151).
Each of these portraits retains a typewritten paper label that indicates that the sitters were ancestors of Mary E. Carter of Andover, Massachusetts. Research of 19th century census reports reveal that a Mary E. Carter (born in 1858 in Vermont) was a long time resident of Andover. She appears in the 1880 census report as a daughter of George N. Carter (born circa 1835 in Vermont), a merchant, and Ruby A. Carter. Carter reappears in the 1930 census report listed as a single woman with the occupation of "landlady."
Each of these portraits retains a typewritten paper label that indicates that the sitters were ancestors of Mary E. Carter of Andover, Massachusetts. Research of 19th century census reports reveal that a Mary E. Carter (born in 1858 in Vermont) was a long time resident of Andover. She appears in the 1880 census report as a daughter of George N. Carter (born circa 1835 in Vermont), a merchant, and Ruby A. Carter. Carter reappears in the 1930 census report listed as a single woman with the occupation of "landlady."