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August Belmont and Isabel Perry

August Belmont and Isabel Perry
Artist
Wouterus Verschuur, 11 Jun 1812 - 4 Jul 1874
Sitter
August Belmont, 8 Dec 1816 - 24 Nov 1890
Isabella Bolton Perry, 1834 - 1912
Caroline Slidell Perry Belmont, 1829 - 1892
Date
1854
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Stretcher: 91.4 x 124.5 x 3.8cm (36 x 49 x 1 1/2")
Frame: 100.6 x 133.4 x 6.4cm (39 5/8 x 52 1/2 x 2 1/2")
Topic
Exterior
Nature & Environment\Plant\Tree
Nature & Environment\Animal\Horse
Costume\Headgear\Hat\Top hat
Costume\Headgear\Hat\Bonnet
Nature & Environment\Animal\Dog
Equipment\Umbrella
Architecture\Building\House
Vehicle\Carriage
Isabella Bolton Perry: Female
Isabella Bolton Perry: Society and Social Change\Socialite
August Belmont: Male
August Belmont: Business and Finance\Banking and Finance\Financier
August Belmont: Business and Finance\Banking and Finance\Banker
August Belmont: Visual Arts\Art collector
August Belmont: Politics and Government\Diplomat\Minister
Caroline Slidell Perry Belmont: Female
Caroline Slidell Perry Belmont: Society and Social Change\Socialite
Portrait
Place
Netherlands
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Paul Mellon
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.80.138
Exhibition Label
The Prussian Jewish banker August Belmont (left) was a noted sportsman, arts patron, and diplomat. He arrived in New York City as an agent of the Rothschild banking family during the economic crisis known as the Panic of 1837. Within a decade, he was one of New York’s wealthiest men. After serving as Austria’s consul general to the United States (1844–50), Belmont held diplomatic posts in the Netherlands (1853–57), returning home with a large art collection.
The Dutch artist Wouterus Verschuur, a horse painting specialist, portrayed Belmont in The Hague, engaged in the sport of carriage driving with his sister-in-law, Isabella Bolton Perry. Belmont’s wife, Caroline Slidell Perry (daughter of naval hero Matthew Perry), and a young child ride in another carriage. A prominent breeder of thoroughbred horses, Belmont financed (and lent his name to) the Belmont Stakes in 1867, the earliest of three races that now constitute the Triple Crown.
El banquero prusiano judío August Belmont (izq.) fue un famoso deportista, mecenas de las artes y diplomático. Llegó a Nueva York como agente de la familia banquera Rothschild durante la crisis económica conocida como el Pánico de 1837. En cuestión de una década era uno de los hombres más ricos de la ciudad. Fue cónsul general de Austria en Estados Unidos (1844–50) y ocupó cargos diplomáticos en los Países Bajos (1853–57), regresando a EE.UU. con una gran colección de arte.
El artista holandés Wouterus Verschuur, especialista en pintura de caballos, retrató a Belmont en La Haya con su cuñada, Isabella Bolton Perry, practicando el deporte de enganche ecuestre. En otro carruaje van su esposa, Caroline Slidell Perry (hija del héroe naval Matthew Perry), y na niña pequeña. Destacado criador de purasangres ingleses, Belmont financió en 1867 la carrera Belmont Stakes que lleva su nombre, primera de las que ahora constituyen la Triple Corona.
Provenance
(Schweitzer Gallery, New York 1977). Paul Mellon; gift to NPG 1980
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition
Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900
On View
NPG, East Gallery 124