Figure 1.--This Waldo-Jewett portrait was painted in the 1830s. It is the four children of leather merchant Shepherd Knapp (1795–1875) and his wife, Catherine Louisa Kumbel (1793–1872). Oly a few American artists were painting high quality portraits at the time. Most American portraits were folk art at the time. The boys wear long pants suits with diffeent jackets. Note the black and navy blue colors. The vmahor diffeence isd the neckwear/collar. Their little sister wears a low-neckline white dress with a fancy sash. Note the coral necklace.

Samuel Lovett Waldo formed a partnership with William Jewett (about1820). They were very prolific. Many of the high-quality portraits done in Antebellum America were done by Waldo and Jewett. One of these portraits was the Knapp family children, painted about 1833-34. They are the children of the hide and leather merchant Shepherd Knapp (1795–1875) and his wife, Catherine Louisa Kumbel (1793–1872). This is notable, because high quality portraits like this were commonly donefor aristocrats and wealthy individuals. We are not sure how learher merchants in Europe had portraits like this painted. This was not folk art, but a high quality portrait by a trained artist. The children are, from left to right, Gideon Lee (1821–1875), Shepherd Fordyce (1832–1886), William Kumbel (1827–1877), and Peter Kumbel (1825–1871). Shepherd Fordyce Knapp appears to be no older than two, which helps to date the portrait to 1833 or 1834. The boys wear long pants suits with different jackets. Note the black and navy blue colors. The major difference is the neckwear/collar. Their little sister wears a low-neckline white dress with a fancy sash. Note the coral necklace. All of the children survived infancy and would marry. Gideon Lee Knapp would later become the owner and manager of the Green Point Ferry. The portrait type, is among the most complex and successful painted by Waldo and Jewett. Most of their portraits were single individuals. One art historian describes it as as one "informed by 18th century English portraiture." Waldo studied in London (1806-09) under Benjamin West and worked as an assistant. The influence is evident. He also greatly admired the work of Thomas Lawrence.

Sources

Worcester Art Museum. "Samuel Lovett Waldo (1783–1861)"

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Created: 4:09 AM 7/20/2025
Last updated: 4:09 AM 7/20/2025