Lot Essay
Nathan Flint Miller (1811-1878) worked as a trader, merchant and farmer and lived in Scottsville, New York. He married Emily Bidwell in 1835. It is likely that these portraits commemorate their wedding. In Emily's likeness, the artist included many elaborate pieces of jewelry, suggesting that the subject was dressed in her finest apparel when she sat for her portrait.
Milton Williams Hopkins traveled throughout Connecticut and various towns in upstate New York as an ornamental painter, portraitist and art instructor during the 1810's-1820's. He was active in the progressive Presbyterian movement and it is believed that he was commissioned by numerous sitters living in the northeast who had similar beliefs.
Working in 1833-1837 in Genesee, Holley, Chili, and Churchville, New York as a portraitist, Noah Norton traveled west to Cleveland and Ohio City. He soon returned to make his home in New York state. During the 1850's, North turned to house and sign painting as another means of income, as the prosperous portrait business waned.
Milton Williams Hopkins traveled throughout Connecticut and various towns in upstate New York as an ornamental painter, portraitist and art instructor during the 1810's-1820's. He was active in the progressive Presbyterian movement and it is believed that he was commissioned by numerous sitters living in the northeast who had similar beliefs.
Working in 1833-1837 in Genesee, Holley, Chili, and Churchville, New York as a portraitist, Noah Norton traveled west to Cleveland and Ohio City. He soon returned to make his home in New York state. During the 1850's, North turned to house and sign painting as another means of income, as the prosperous portrait business waned.