Old World Portraits
Mrs. William Sheldon
Asahel Powers
A charming 19th-century American folk portrait of a woman in an ornate bonnet, rendered with striking flat colors and intricate lace detail.
William Sheldon
Asahel Powers
1831 · Oil Paint, Panel
A striking 19th-century folk art portrait of a seated man in a scholarly library setting.
$129
For the selected configuration
From $129
6 frame sizes
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Made to order in ~2 business days · Free U.S. standard shipping (typically 5–8 business days after dispatch)
Where it works
A weightier piece with steady character with warm, lived-in color — brings a composed sense of weight.
- Often works in
- Study · Library · Living Room
- Placement
- Strongest where a vertical wall can take more presence
- Walls
- Benefits from light or mid-tone surroundings
- Color notes
- Charcoal black, Deep burgundy, Olive green
About the piece
Created around 1831 by American folk artist Asahel Powers, this oil-on-panel portrait is a quintessential example of early American itinerant painting. The work depicts a man, believed to be William Sheldon, with the characteristic flat perspective and crisp linear detail of the period. The presence of leather-bound books and his poised expression suggest a learned and dignified character, typical of 19th-century formal portraiture.
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