HARDING, CHESTER

born Sept. 1, 1792, Conway, Mass., U.S. died April 1, 1866, Boston, Mass. American painter of portraits, in the Romantic manner, of prominent Americans and Englishmen of the early 19th century. Harding was a chairmaker, peddler, innkeeper, and house painter, painting signs in Pittsburgh, Pa., and eventually became, self-taught, an itinerant portrait painter. He soon became proficient and in the early 1820s had such a vogue in Boston80 portraits in six monthsthat he could afford a trip to England (1823). He set up a studio in London and met with great success, painting royalty and the nobility. Despite his lack of education and social experience, his backwoodsman charm and candour made him a favourite in all circles. His best portraits, executed after his return (1826) to the United States, include his likeness of Amos Lawrence (c. 1845; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.).