Benjamin Faneuil Bethune

Artist: Ramage, John
Date: before 1802

Born in Dublin, John Ramage attended the Dublin School of Artists, where he received training as a goldsmith and painter. About 1772 he emigrated to the colonies, first to Nova Scotia and by 1775 he had settled in Boston. During the Revolution he was a Loyalist.

In general most of Ramage's sitters were either Tories or were sympathetic to the British. Although little is known about Bethune, it is presumed that he was a Loyalist (he is portrayed in a "red coat" uniform) and the miniature was probably painted in Boston. The likeness is straightforward and unidealized, including a prominent five o'clock shadow. The emphatic red of the uniform placed against the solid dark background is also striking.

Notes:

This text is adapted from Martha Severens "The Miniature Portrait Collection of the Carolina Art Association" published by the Carolina Art Association, 1984



  • Artist's Dates: ca. 1748 - 1802
  • Artist's Nationality: American
  • Medium: Watercolor
  • Support: Ivory
  • Dimensions: 1 3/4 X 1 1/2 Inches
  • Sitter's Dates: Ca. 1759-1795
  • Credit: Gift of Mrs. Percy Gamble Kammerer
  • Period: 18th century
  • Accession Number: 1962.033.0003
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