PORTRAIT OF HUSBAND AND WIFE, POSSIBLY REV. JOHN. R KLEINFELTER AND CATHARINE (BECKER) KLEINFELTER

In fancy dress and painted in full-length against a bucolic landscape, the present lot is a superb example of Jacob Maentel’s trademark portraits. The works produced by Jacob Maentel (1763-1863) between 1808 and his death provides one of the most important records of early 19th century rural agrarian America. More than 200 portraits attributed to him are from areas such as Lancaster, York, Berks and Dauphin Counties, Pennsylvania, as well as New Harmony and Posey County, Indiana. His work documents the costumes, interiors and families of early to mid-nineteenth century America, and specifically the German American establishment. Despite the important role Maentel played in chronicling America, information about the artist is obscure and often conflicting. According to tradition, German-born Maentel engaged in several professions, including being secretary to Napoleon, a physician, farmer and painter. For a further discussion on this topic, see Mary Black, Simplicity, a Grace : Jacob Maentel in Indiana (Evansville, 1989).

The sitters depicted here have been identified by Chris Machmer as from the Kleinfelter family of Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. Based on the works' dating, it is possible that the portraits are of husband and wife Rev. John R. Kleinfelter and Catharine Kleinfelter. According to records, John joined the ministry at the age of 22 and married Catharine Becker in 1823. He bought the Becker’s 200-acre farm in 1824 after the death of Catharine’s father. There, they lived and farmed, and John continued to preach and officiate weddings. In 1855, John was sued for performing a wedding where the bride was a minor and had not received consent from her father. After this incident, John and Catharine moved to Coalico, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he operated a store until moving back to the farm in 1844. He retired and sold the farm to his son-in-law Rev. William Hoffman in 1861.