William Matthew Prior
Massachusetts, Maine,1806-1873
Depicts Lucy Colfax Prince, wife of Edward St. John Neally of Bath, Maine, dressed in black with a lace collar. Neally attended Bowdoin before leaving to join his cousin Jonathan Cilley's Law office in Thomaston, Maine. William Prior was an itinerant portrait artist having painted all throughout New England. Prior is best known for his naive style portraits that he advertised for a quarter of the price of detailed portraits, but also painted more sophisticated works on glass. Prior's work was unique in that the prices he charged for his work varied by detail, flatter paintings were cheapest while more detailed paintings cost more, however his cheapest paintings were often the most vibrant. His work can be found in the Portland Museum of Art, Maine; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; and the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum amongst others.
Oil on canvas,Canvas 34" x 28 1/4".Frame 39 3/4" x 33 3/4"
Titled, signed, and dated "Portrait of Mrs. Neally painted by Wm. M Prior May 1838" on verso.
From the collection of a Rumford, Rhode Island estate.

Craquelure, light wear by rabbet, small paint chip by left shoulder, minor stretcher marks, frame with surface wear and losses, otherwise good condition and displays well.