Rufus Porter
Portrait Miniatures
Scarce Frontal Views 

Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, ca. 1830-1835.

Watercolor and graphite on paper. Attributed to Rufus Porter (1792-1884) a celebrated artist, musician, teacher, inventor, and founder of Scientific American magazine.

Facing views by Rufus Porter are quite rare, as most by Porter are in profile. Although not painted at the same time, based on information on the backs of the frames, these portraits portray father and son. Amos Babcock, (1760-1835), and his son Leonard Babcock (1794-1841);

frame sizes 5 1/8 inches x 4 ¼, and 5 5/8 x 4 ¾, respectively. Reference: “Revisiting Rufus Porter” Suzanne and Michael Payne, The MAGAZINE ANTIQUES, January 28, 2020. From a private Pennsylvania collection.