Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Self portrait

Object number2007.169.1
Manufacturer
Artist
Datec. 1938
OriginPittsburgh, PA
MediumOil on panel
Credit LineGift of Joe Mosko
DescriptionRectangular oil portrait on canvas wrapped panel. Face of male wearing glasses, tan jacket, beige shirt and red necktie. Dark grey background.Dimensions8.875 x 11.875 in. (22.5 x 30.2 cm)
MarksLabel on reverse: "SMITHIAN / Quality / SMITHIAN / CANVAS / PANEL / Size 9x12 / A&B SMITH CO. / PITTSBURGH".
Historical NotesHoward H. Seiferth (Herman Seiferth) was a local artist and also owned and operated the H.H. Seiferth Sign Company. The company was started in 1890 in an alley between Penn Avenue and Duquesne Way in downtown Pittsburgh. The company created signs for Pittsburgh retail businesses, factories, and political campaigns. It was located on Fancourt Street from 1919 until around 1950, when it was forced to relocate due to the development of the Point State Project. Following the move, the company had locations on Water Street, East Street, and Fort Pitt Boulevard. In 1942, H.H. Seiferth passed away, leaving the shop to his daughter, Jane Seiferth Markowitz who became one Pittsburgh's few female business owners at that time. Howard's daughter Jane met her husband Bill Markowitz when they both worked in the print shop of the Seiferth Company. Besides working for the company, they were both artists and owned a house in Perry Township that they covered with murals. The painting was donated by their nephew Joe Mosko after Bill's death in November 2006.
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