Dr. William Werneburg and Children
Object number86.1.5
Artist
Unknown
Date1850
MediumOil on canvas; Wood; Paint
Credit LineGift of Anna M. Scarborough
DescriptionOil painting. Framed portrait of a man and two young girls. The man has red hair and beard and is wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and dark scarf wrapped around his neck. The younger girl is sitting on his right knee and is wearing a white dress and black shoes. The older girl is standing and leaning on his left leg; she is wearing a blue dress.Dimensions44.875 x 38.75 in. (114 x 98.4 cm)Historical NotesMary Werneburg to Anna M. Scarborough; donated to the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania in 1946. Label TextDr. William Werenburg first appeared in the Pittsburgh City directories in 1847, listed as a "physician a accoucher," which means he specialized as an obstetrician. He and his wife Mary emigrated from the German states, but their two daughters, Ellemora and Mary, were born in Pennsylvania. This portrait is believed to be a refined copy of a less skillfully finished painting completed by a German immigrant house painter who temporarily resided with the Werneburgs in Pittsburgh. The doctor died prior to 1857, when his wife was listed as "widow of Dr. William" in the city directory.
Previous owner
Mary Werneburg
Related person
Dr. William Werneburg
Related person
Ellemora Werneburg
Terms
On View
On viewCollections
