Portrait of Susan Ames

Little was known about Asa Ames until the 1970s, when census records revealed that his occupation was “sculpting”; she resided in Erie County, New York, and he died at age twenty-seven, probably from tuberculosis. Only thirteen works have been securely attributed to him; many of these are of family members, like this portrait of his niece Susan. With the exception of figureheads on ships’ bows, carved full-length portraits in wood were extremely unusual. The artist has paid careful attention to such details as ears, eyelids, and hair texture - all of which are noticeable on this sculpture - perhaps a nod to the period’s obsession with physiognomy.