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c. 1820, Original Watercolor Miniature Portrait of Captain John Paul Jones

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:18,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
c. 1820, Original Watercolor Miniature Portrait of Captain John Paul Jones
American Revolution
Important Original Watercolor Miniature Portrait of Captain John Paul Jones, Attributed to Artist Sarah Goodrich
c. 1820, Watercolor Miniature Portrait of Captain John Paul Jones, Attributed to artist Sarah Goodrich (American, 1788-1853), Choice Near Mint.
Historic Miniature Watercolor Portrait of Captain John Paul Jones (1747-1792), measuring 3.5” x 2.5” (8.9 x 6.4 cm.), housed in a custom ornate shadowbox style deep frame to fully 7” x 8” viewed through special UV Plexiglas. Attributed to American Artist Sarah Goodrich (1788-1853). Hand-painted portrait image shows Captain Jones in a chest-up, profile pose in his Navy uniform with a naval battle scene in the background one ship flying an American flag. Overall, exhibiting outstanding rich color and detail, as shown.

A “portraitist” who is regarded as one of the most distinguished of the 19th century Miniaturist, artist Sarah (Goodrich) or Goodridge, who was born in Templeton, Massachusetts, was encouraged by her teacher, the historic artist Gilbert Stuart, of whom it was said he took more interest in her work than that of his own talented daughter, Jane.

In addition to painting Gilbert Stuart's portrait, she also completed ones of Daniel Webster, and General Henry Lee, as well as many other prominent figures of the day, including the current painting offered of John Paul Jones. Sarah Goodrich was highly productive, completing about two miniatures a week until her eyesight failed in 1850.

Provenance Ex: Bonhams Auction, New York, January 20, 2012, Lot 2035 where it sold for $20,000.
John Paul Jones (1747- 1792), a.k.a. “the father of the American Navy”, was born in poverty in a humble gardener's cottage, and first went to sea at the age of 13 as a cabin boy. After a time in commercial service, where he proved himself at sea, and rose to the rank of Master with command of his own ship by the age of 21.

The death of his brother brought him to Virginia in 1775, and inspired by the continental politics, he volunteered early in the War of Independence to serve in the country's infant navy. Commissioned as a first Lieutenant, and in command of the Alfred, with his own hands raised the Continental ensign on board the flagship of the Navy's first fleet.

In 1777 John Paul Jones sailed the Ranger to France and then on to patrol with daring raids along the British coast. Eventually taking command of a converted merchant vessel named Bonhomme Richard (after American envoy Dr. Benjamin Franklin).

It was his famous victory over H.M.S. Serapis at the Battle of Flamborough, with the Bonhomme Richard taking on water and on fire, the British commander asked Jones if he had struck his flag. Jones replied, "I have not yet begun to fight!"

In the end, it was the British commander who surrendered. He spent the end of the war in America, advising and training officers. After the American Revolutionary War, John Paul Jones returned to Paris where Thomas Jefferson would recommend him for service in the in the Russian Navy, where he served from 1788-1789.

After a brief trip to Britain, he returned to Paris in 1790 where he would die in 1792. His body lay in an unmarked grave until 1905 when it was discovered and returned to the United States with great ceremony. He was finally laid to rest at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1913.

As an officer of the original Continental Navy of the American Revolution, John Paul Jones helped establish the traditions of courage and professionalism that the Sailors of the United States Navy today proudly maintain.