DAVID A. SCHORSCH AMERICAN ANTIQUES, INC.
Sold to a private collector at the Winter Antiques Show, January 2002
Interior Scene, Frontal Portrait of a Gentleman
Painted by Jacob Maentel (1763–1863)
Vicinity of Jonestown, Pennsylvania, circa 1815
Watercolor and gum Arabic on paper, in the original walnut frame
23 1/2 x 16 inches
Courtesy of David A. Schorsch American Antiques, Inc.

This portrait is a fine example of the supreme artistry of Jacob Maentel at the height of his talents and ranks among the finest, largest, and arguably the most important Maentel portraits that has ever come on the open market. It is closely related to a pair of portraits depicting John and Catherine Bickel that were part of the recent gift to The American Folk Art Museum from Ralph Esmerian. These three portraits share many features of composition and ornamental detailing, along with nearly identical paper size, suggesting that they are part of a larger family group and were probably painted at the same time and place.