Object ID	1998-1-X54
Object Name	Portrait
Description	Portrait of John Mitchel Mason. He is seated and slightly turned. He is wearing a dark suit and white ruffled shirt. He appears to be middle aged. Framed in plain gold gilt frame.
Artist	Attributed to Gilbert Stuart
Collection	Liberty Hall Collection
Dimensions	H-34 W-29 inches
Early Date	1804 C.E.
Late Date	1806 C.E.
Material	Oil on Canvas
Place of Origin	Washington, D.C.
Provenance	Given to Margaretta Brown as gift from her brother, John Mitchel Mason. Has always hung since at Liberty Hall and allegedly in Parlor. It was left to Mason Brown, who in turn passed to his wife. Ultimately it would pass to Mason's daughter, Mary Yoder Brown Scott and on to her children, John Matthew Scott and Mary Mason Scott. Was acquired by Liberty Hall Incorporated when it was bought by Liberty Hall, Inc. in 1937. By family tradition the piece is ascribed to Gilbert Stuart. There is no direct evidence such as a signature to confirm this attribution but in the early part of this century Mary Mason Scott had it evaluated by a scholar named Charles Sawitsky who included it in his book on Gilbert Stuart as an original. National Portrait Gallery Catalog of American Portraits Files also indicate that another scholar by the name of John Hill Morgan believed it was undoubtedly a Stuart. More research and a firsthand look by a scholar is needed to authenticate the piece.
Title	Portrait of John Mitchel Mason

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Last modified on: June 27, 2007