TitleLockwood de Forest
Artist
James Wells Champney
(American, 1843 - 1903)
Daten.d.
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsUnframed: 21 × 17 in.
Framed: 26 × 22 × 2 1/4 in.
SignedSigned at center right: "J. Wells Champney"; upper right: "L. De Forest"
SubmissionANA diploma presentation, May 2, 1892
Credit LineNational Academy of Design, New York, NY
Object number334-P
Label TextWhen "Lockwood de Forest's" Associate diploma portrait was accepted, its authorship was not mentioned in Academy minutes. The sole portrait of de Forest included in the 1911 collection inventory was listed as by Thomas Waterman Wood. In later registrations the painting was termed a self-portrait, which might be due to the more conspicuous script used in the inscription of de Forest's name. However, Champney's signature was, in time, noticed, and the painting was correctly recorded.The early record of a portrait by Wood being in the collection is puzzling. The entry in the 1911 collection inventory may have been a simple error, or it may signal that de Forest made an exchange of portraits sometime after the 1911 publication; no exchange is recorded, however. The dilemma is further complicated by the fact that Champney did very little oil painting after 1880. The Champney signature on this painting, however, is consistent with a type he is known to have used.
