New attribution to portraits by “Mr. Boyd”

As reported by Elizabeth Pochoda, Editor of The Magazine Antiques in the January/February 2016 issue:

The pair of oil on panel portraits of a young couple, Asa Ransome Swift (1791-1822) and Fawnia Cole Swift (1791-1880), was probably done at the time of their marriage in 1812. They are attributed to Jasper Miles who worked in Ontario County, New York, and later in Ohio where signed examples of his work have been found. (He has been previously referred to as “Mr. Boyd”). Asa Ransome Swift was the son of General John L. Swift (1762-1814), the founder of Palmyra, New York. After Asa drowned in 1822 Fawnia married his uncle (and brother of General John Swift), Philetus Swift, who had recently lost his wife. This pair of portraits is accompanied by a portrait of Fawnia’s brother. All descended in the family and are being offered for the first time.

The paintings are shown out of their frame to reveal the technique of the artist, who intended them to be framed within an oval matting.