William I. Conover

Artist George Henry Durrie

Period1842

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions30 × 25 in. (76.2 × 63.5 cm)

SignedSigned on reverse in paint, "Painted by Durrie / May 1842."

ClassificationsPortraits

Credit LineGift of Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, 1939

Object number1305

DescriptionPortrait of a six year old boy with soft almond-shaped eyes depicted in an oval full frontal view on a rectangular canvas. He has dark brown hair, side parted, full over ears, and is wearing a navy blue jacket with brass buttons, a white lace collar, and a pleated white skirt. The background within the oval is a mottled blue, brown and red, framed in the rest of the rectangle by reddish dark brown.
Curatorial RemarksThe record book of George Henry Durrie indicates that he charged $8 for portraits of William's parents and two older siblings. However, the artist simply drew a line across his column for fee next to William's entry, suggesting that the portrait was painted at no charge. Perhaps Durrie just enjoyed doing this engaging commission for art's sake, as everyone likes an especially cute child. Or maybe one portrait was provided to the Conovers in exchange for room and board. There is a long-standing tradition among Conover descendants that Durrie lived with the family while the portraits were being painted. Matching portraits of William's brother Hendrick S. Conover (1831 - 1885) and sister Anne Bowne Conover (1833 - 1852) remain in private ownership.NotesWilliam I. Conover (1836 - 1902) was a son of Tunis V. Conover and his wife Rebecca Crawford Conover of Marlboro, Monmouth County. He married Cornelia Smock, and the couple had two daughters. Conover succeeded his brother Hendrick to ownership of the family farm about 1866, continuing to work it until his death. He was interred at Old Brick Reformed Church, of which he had been a lifelong member.

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