Artist/Maker George Washington Mark (1795 – 1879)

Marion Feasting the British Officer on Sweet Potatoes

1848

Oil on canvas

Overall: 34 1/4 x 43 1/4 in. ( 87 x 109.9 cm )

Purchased from Elie Nadelman

1937.453

The tale of Revolutionary War general Francis Marion generously sharing a dinner of sweet potatoes with a British officer was probably invented by Marion's biographer, Parson Weems, in the early nineteenth century. Another version of this painting survives at the National Gallery of Art. This painting was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937.

InscribedOn back: "MARION Feasting the British OFFICER on Sweet Potatoes. By G.W. Mark. / Del. & Pinxt."

ClassificationsPAINTINGS