Striking original painting of U. S. Grant by Freeman Woodcock Thorp, painted from life during Grant’s sixth year in the White House, 21.5 x 26.5, oil on canvas, signed in the lower left corner in red paint by the artist, “Thorp 1875.” Cloth-matted and framed to an overall size of 28.5 x 33.5. In fine condition. Thorp had been given a studio on the fourth floor of the Senate wing of the Capitol, where he painted portraits of many presidents and other prominent Americans—a favorite subject was Abraham Lincoln, who he painted as many as five times, sketching studies of the president during an 1861 stop by the Inaugural Train in Geneva, Ohio, and again in 1863 at the Gettysburg battlefield. It is thought that he painted painted at least three portraits of Grant, who he had met during the Civil War. Of his experience with Grant as a subject, Thorp commented, ‘Grant was a very affable, courteous, and pleasant man to work upon. He was not a great talker, but was agreeable and good-natured.’ Oversized. RR Auction COA.
