Asahel Lynde Powers was the eldest son of Asahel, Jr. and Sophia Lynde Powers, and was born in Springfield, Vermont, on 28 February 1813. By the age of eighteen Powers had developed a recognizable Folk Art style as his earliest known portrait is dated 1831. Like many early 19th century American paintings, Powers' early works were oil on wide wood panels. As a traveling artist, he eventually switched to canvas as canvas would have been far more portable than heavy wooden panels.
These two paintings are of Daniel Griswold and his daughter, Louisa Griswold Field, both of Springfield, Vermont. The green dress worn by Louisa is believed to be her wedding dress. She married Abner Field of Springfield on February 16, 1832 and together they had four children. Louisa died in Springfield on August 15, 1884. Powers painted her when she was about 27 years old, her father was 73.
His early work is known for its strong outlines, colorful details and facial delineation. The clothing and accessories of the sitters are painted with a bold hand. Powers experimented with different colors in the backgrounds of his paintings throughout his career which helps in dating his work as many of his portraits were not signed or dated. Powers traveled throughout Vermont and New York painting his portraits, collaborating at some point with another artist named Rice. More than seventy portrait likenesses by Powers are known, including men, women and children in oil on both wooden panels and canvas. In 1840 he was living in New York with his wife, Elizabeth M. Powers. In 1841 Powers moved again, this time to Olney in Richland County, Illinois. It is not known if he continued producing paintings after this move as none have been found from the Illinois period. He died in Illinois in 1843.
Exhibited: Asahel Powers-Painter of Vermont Faces, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum 1973
Published: Little, Nina Fletcher, Asahel Powers-Painter of Vermont Faces. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 1973.
Plates 37 & 38, pp. 38 & 39
Discussed in: Lipman, Jean, Armstrong, Tom, American Folk Painters of Three Centuries. Whitney Museum of American Art,
New York, NY, 1980, page 156
Other references available including town histories and genealogical for both the Griswold and Field families.
(Minor restoration, original frames; Louisa's frame: 30 by 36 , sight-size: 27 by 33.5;
Daniel's frame: 29.5 by 36 , sight-size: 26.25 by 33 )
$24,500 the pair
R18I2005761
Plates 37 & 38, pp. 38 & 39
Discussed in: Lipman, Jean, Armstrong, Tom, American Folk Painters of Three Centuries. Whitney Museum of American Art,
New York, NY, 1980, page 156
Other references available including town histories and genealogical for both the Griswold and Field families.
(Minor restoration, original frames; Louisa's frame: 30 by 36 , sight-size: 27 by 33.5;
Daniel's frame: 29.5 by 36 , sight-size: 26.25 by 33 )
$24,500 the pair
R18I2005761