A collector in Florida obtained a family of portraits executed by Francis Quirk. The series consists of a daughter (and given the striking family resemblance) her mother and father.
Daughter Mother
The 'daughter painting' was executed in 1945 when Quirk was 38 years old and teaching at Ogontz College outside of Philadelphia. The parental portraits were executed three years later and are dated September of 1948.
Looking first at the daughter's portrait. She is wearing a fine evening dress with a jeweled pin. The pin is a circle with an arrow passing through it and it appears to have small pearls along its surface with a platinum backing.
The subject is elegantly posed for a three quarter view portrait sitting in a high backed Chippendale chair. Beside her is a small figure of a young girl holding either a bird landing on her arm or a flowerpot. We suspect that the figure held some relevance to the sitter.
Quirk frequently worked in plants or other objects beside his portrait subjects as he did in the portraits of the Summer Pastor, Lady in Turquoise and Edgar Lee Masters. The sitter is well groomed with lipstick and well-coiffed hair.
From the label we know that the painting was framed in Philadelphia, so it is logical to assume that the painting was executed nearby. It may have been the daughter of a prominent family or even a student at Ogontz. On annual basis Quirk would create an image of one of the students as a prize. Other possible lifetime landmark events include commemorating a sweet sixteen, debutante ball, or graduation. Since she is not flashing a ring, the idea of this being an engagement or wedding portrait can be set aside. Quirk usually included jewelry in his portraits as you can see the rings on her mother and father in the portraits below.
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| Francis Quirk signature |
The first and most striking element of the mother's portrait is the striking resemblance to her daughter. At first, blush one might think that she is sitting in the same chair, however in this case, the chair back is much lower. Interestingly, the background for this painting is a bland blue and there are no other knick-knacks or plants in the painting. Her portrait faces left with her left hand resting on the chair's arm.
The final painting is the father who sits in the same chair as the mother with a similar austere blue background. His facial portrait is almost straight on, however his body is facing slightly to his right. Given that the frames are identical, in situ, this painting may have hung on the same wall as his wife's positioned so that they are facing each other in familial harmony. (Of course if there were times of family strife, the opposite effect could be achieved by juxtaposing the works)
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| Portrait of a gentleman father by Francis Quirk |
Quirk captured his signet ring in detail.
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| Close up of ring on portrait by Francis J. Quirk |
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| Signature by Francis J. Quirk on portrait of an unknown gentleman. |
The big mystery is the identity of these people. Like the elegant lady in turquoise their identities are currently unknown. If you recognize this family please let us know. They probably lived in the Philadelphia area or New Jersey during World War II and later they or a descendant may have moved to Florida. Any help giving them names would be appreciated!
These works may be available for purchase. If you have an interest, email us and we can connect you with the owner.
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