The Family of John Q. Aymar
The masts of ships docked on the Hudson River can be seen through the window of John Q. Aymar's home on Greenwich Street in New York, marking his success as an importer of rum and coffee from the West Indies. More to the point, his mercantile prowess is displayed in his richly furnished parlor, replete with fine carpets, draperies, and furniture in the latest fashion: a marble-top center table adorned with fruit and a paisley shawl, a pier table with a gilded mirror, and a sideboard. Aymar's wife, Elizabeth, and two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, complete the scene of domestic harmony. Long attributed by the Aymar family to Samuel F. B. Morse, the painting has been reassigned to George Twibill, who was a student of Morse at the National Academy of Design. Twibill's rare works are unfailingly meticulous and charming, and here the expression of warmth is redoubled by the accuracy of the interior.
The Aymar family presented this painting to the Museum along with most of the furniture that is shown in it. It is thus not only a lovely portrait but also an extraordinary document of life in New York in the 1830s.
The Aymar family presented this painting to the Museum along with most of the furniture that is shown in it. It is thus not only a lovely portrait but also an extraordinary document of life in New York in the 1830s.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Family of John Q. Aymar
- Artist: Attributed to George W. Twibill Jr. (1806–1836)
- Date: ca. 1833
- Geography: Made in United States
- Culture: American
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 34 3/4 x 42 in. (88.3 x 106.7 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of A. Grima Johnson, 2008
- Object Number: 2008.573
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
George W. Twibill Jr.
1833
Cecilia Beaux
1894
Albert Bierstadt
1863
George Caleb Bingham
1845
William Merritt Chase
ca. 1892
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.