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Portrait of an Unknown Subject By Ball Hughes, Boston, 1856 Poker work on unframed wood panel, approx. 10 in. tall by 8 in. wide Digital image by Steve Tatarunis

Portrait of an Unknown Man, Detail of the Inscription, Verso By Ball Hughes, Boston, 1856 Pyroengraved inscription on the back of the panel reads: "This Sketch was Burnt with a Poker. Boston. 1856 BH. Sculpat. " Digital image by owner

Portrait of an Unknown Man, Close-up View of Subject By Ball Hughes, Boston, 1856 Poker work on unframed wood panel, approx. 10 in. tall by 8 in. wide Digital image by Steve Tatarunis

Steve Tatarunis acquired the above initialed and dated piece from his father. It is known to be a piece by Robert Ball Hughes, the famous 19th century pyrographer, engraver, and sculptor. Little is known of its provenance before Steve's father acquired it. Although his father is not 100 percent certain, Steve says, he thinks it is most likely that it was purchased in an antiques shop somewhere on the southern Maine coast (Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunk) during the 1960's. Steve adds that his Mom and Dad loved to weekend on the coast and browse the shops whenever they could.

However, Steve knows it was in their home in Andover, Massachusetts, U.S.A., since 1961 when the family moved there until now when they have just sold that house. He is happy that his father saved it for him, because, as he says, "I just liked the image and thought it would be a nice keepsake/memento of the home I grew up in. I was...surprised at its age..."

In researching this work, Steve observed the close resemblance between this unknown subject and another likewise unknown one, owned by Lawrence Brown, dated 1850, and depicted in the Ball Hughes Salon No. 12.

If you have either any questions or any additional information to offer about Ball Hughes or this portrait by him, please e-mail Steve Tatarunis and the E-Museum Curator.

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