2-999-980 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Joseph Anthony Jr., 1794. The sitter Joseph Anthony, Jr. (1762-1814), was Gilbert Stuart's first cousin, born in Newport, Rhode Island. He was the son of a successful sea captain, and trained as a silversmith, opening a business in Philadelphia, and eventually making the transition from craftsman to entrepreneur. He became prominent in local society and was one of the original subscribers to the Philadelphia City Dancing Assembly Fund. In 1785, he married Henrietta Hillegas. One of a pair of miniatures, perhaps made to celebrate the couple's betrothal. This and the portrait of Henrietta are both after oils by Stuart. Stuart worked closely with the miniaturists Walter Robinson and Benjamin Trott, both of whom painted miniatures after Stuart's portraits in oils. It is possible that this miniature is by one of these men.