Oil on Canvas Portrait of Ralph LeFevre by CL Lewin ( Circa 1860's )

Details

Description

Circa 1860's Oil Portrait of Ralph LeFevre by C.L. Lewin – Early New Paltz Lineage

This compelling 19th-century oil painting … Read more Circa 1860's Oil Portrait of Ralph LeFevre by C.L. Lewin – Early New Paltz Lineage

This compelling 19th-century oil painting depicts Ralph LeFevre, a descendant of the original founders of New Paltz, New York, one of the Hudson Valley’s earliest and most historically significant settlements. Painted circa the 1860's by C.L. Lewin, the portrait reflects the quiet dignity and restrained realism characteristic of mid-19th-century American portraiture.

Rendered with a muted, earthy palette and careful attention to facial expression, the artist captures both the character and social standing of the sitter. The brushwork is confident yet subtle, emphasizing naturalism over embellishment—an approach typical of period portrait painters working for established families.

The LeFevre name holds deep historical importance in New York State history, tracing back to the Huguenot founders of New Paltz in the late 17th century. As such, this painting is not only a fine decorative work, but also a tangible piece of early American and Hudson Valley heritage.

A striking and evocative work that would make an exceptional addition to a collection focused on American history, Hudson River Valley, or 19th-century portraiture.

Artist: C.L. Lewin
Subject: Ralph LeFevre
Date: Circa 1860's
Medium: Oil on canvas
Origin: United States
Style: 19th-Century American Portraiture See less