Important Matthew Harris Jouett Kentucky Portrait of Hon. John Breckinridge

Matthew Harris Jouett American/Kentucky, 1788-1827, active New Orleans 1817-1827 "Hon. John Breckinridge (1760-1806)" oil on cradled panel (likely millboard) c. 1820s, unsigned, inscribed with provenance en verso, framed. Provenance: Commissioned then held by the immediate family of the sitter, likely his son Rev. Robert J. Breckinridge, c.1820s-1871; Sophy Preston Steele (Sophonisba Preston Steele), 1872-1926; Helen S. Breckinridge, 1926-1941; Lila Breckinridge Field; 1941-2004; Charles Field, 2004-2025; Private Collection. Note: Matthew Harris Jouett painted this portrait from memory – one of at least three now known versions of John Breckinridge (1760-1806), as mentioned in the J.B. Speed Memorial Museum catalogue raisonnè of 1939 by Mrs. William H. Martin and Estill Curtis Pennington's more recent monograph on the artist published in 2020. This painting descended in the family of the sitter for over 150 years before recently emerging on the market. Jouett's image served as the source material for the official 1863 government likeness of Breckinridge painted by Alban Jasper Conant, which is currently held by the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. A distinctive heart-shaped lapel pin links the canvases along with other stylistic elements. Matthew Harris Jouett, widely considered the greatest portrait painter from Kentucky, was born in Mercer County in 1788. He graduated from Transylvania College in Lexington and studied law under George M. Bibb, Chief Justice of the Appellate Court of Kentucky. Even while studying and practicing law, Jouett displayed a strong interest in art, spending his spare time painting miniature portraits. After a stint in the army, Jouett returned to Lexington and opened a portrait studio. His reputation as an artist was already established, and he saw almost immediate success. However, Jouett felt that if he were to be a professional portraitist then he would benefit from instruction. In 1816, he journeyed to Boston where he studied under noted artist Gilbert Stuart. Stuart is reported to have later told General James Taylor that "Kentucky" (his nickname for Jouett) was the only student that he ever had who was worthy of his instruction. Upon Jouett's return to Kentucky, he traveled the region working as an artist and maintained several studios in Lexington, as well as one in Louisville and New Orleans. He painted many of the most notable figures of the day. John Breckinridge was an important American politician, militia officer, landowner and lawyer. He served in the Virginia and Kentucky state legislatures before being elected to the Senate for Kentucky from 1801 to 1805. He also served as the United States Attorney General during the second term of President Thomas Jefferson. He established the Breckinridge family in Kentucky and was the namesake of Breckinridge County. References: Martin, Mrs. William H. Catalogue of All Known Paintings by Matthew Harris Jouett. Louisville, KY: J.B. Speed Memorial Museum, 1939; Pennington, Estill Curtis. Matthew Harris Jouett 1788-1827: His Life & Work. Louisville, KY: Estill Curtis Pennington, 2020.

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