Charles Hubbard (artist)

Charles Hubbard (1801–1875) was an artist in Boston, Massachusetts in the 19th century. He kept a studio on Tremont Row[1][2] and was affiliated with the Boston Artists' Association.[3] He served as state senator from 1851-1852.[4]

"National Lancers with the Reviewing Officers on the Boston Common," by Hubbard, 1837 (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
Advertisement for Charles Hubbard, painter, Boston, 1823

Biography

Hubbard trained with J.R. Penniman.[5] From 1822 to 1823 Hubbard formed a business partnership with ornamental and sign painters Samuel Curtis and B.B. Curtis as "Curtis's & Hubbard" (also known as "Curtises & Hubbard"). They produced a variety of painting, "in a plain and neat, or rich and ornamental style as may be requested," including "military standard, plain and ornamental sign, fancy, masonic, landscape, glass, clock and timepiece dial; designs and drawings for cards, diplomas, &c; transparencies ... for window curtains."[6][7] Clients included the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts;[8] the Chester Light Infantry of Chester, New Hampshire;[9] and the Haverhill Light Infantry Company of Haverhill, Massachusetts.[10]

He joined the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts in 1822. "He was an ensign of a company in the 2nd Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, M.V.M., from 1822-1825, lieutenant of the same from 1826-1828, and subsequently was promoted to be captain."[8]

In 1823 he contributed to the July 4th festivities in Hingham, Massachusetts. "The dawn of this interesting day was, as usual, ushered in by the ringing of bells. ... At an early hour a numerous collection of beauty and fashion, alive to the feelings of which the occasion inspired, assembled to witness the presentation to the Hingham Rifle Company, of an elegant stand of colours, painted by Mr. Charles Hubbard, of Boston, in a style which does great credit to the talents of the artist."[11]

Hubbard married Amelia Jane Ripley in 1826; they had several children, including Charles Hubbard Jr. (b. 1835).[12]

He exhibited work at Harding's Gallery in 1834;[13] and in the first exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association in 1837, and again 1844.[14][15] By 1852 he was "an artist of some celebrity."[16]

Hubbard moved his residence "to Chelsea in 1835, serving the city as selectman and chairman of the school committee. In 1851 and again in 1852 he represented his district (of Suffolk) in the senate of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."[17]

References
  1. Boston Directory. 1848, 1858, 1862
  2. Boston Almanac. 1856
  3. Athenaeum exhibition. Boston Daily Atlas, June 11, 1846
  4. The Massachusetts state record and year book of general information, 1851
  5. Carol Damon Andrews. John Ritto Penniman (1782–1841): An Ingenious New England Artist. Antiques 120, no.1, July 1981.
  6. Columbian Centinel, March 27, 1822
  7. Copartnership dissolved. American Federalist Columbian Centinel; Date: 04-12-1823
  8. Oliver Ayer Roberts. History of the Military Company of the Massachusetts, now called, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts: 1637-1888. Boston: A. Mudge & Son, 1898
  9. New-Hampshire Patriot & State Gazette; Date: 08-05-1822
  10. "After the Light Infantry had performed various evolutions, on the green ... they marched to the mansion of Mr. J. Dow, on Main-street, where they received a splendid colour -- designed and executed with great elegance and discernment, by Messrs. Curtis & Hubbard, in Boston -- presented them by the ladies of this place, ... in the presence of a brilliant bevy of beauty, taste, and fashion, ... before a concourse of some hundred other citizens, congregated from this and the towns in the vicinity." cf.Haverhill Gazette, and Essex Patriot; Date: 05-10-1823
  11. Celebration at Hingham. Independent Chronicle & Boston Patriot.; Date: 07-16-1823
  12. MacKenzie, ed. Colonial families of the United States of America. Baltimore: Seaforth Press, 1917; p.266-267
  13. Catalogue of paintings at the artist's exhibition, in Harding's Gallery, Boston, May, 1834
  14. 13th exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, 1878.
  15. 4th exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, 1844.
  16. Bungay. Crayon sketches and off-hand cakings. S.l.: s.n., 1852
  17. Nellie Zada Rice Molyneux. History, genealogical and biographical, of the Molyneux families. NY: C.W. Bardeen, 1904; p.85+

Further reading
  • Bunker Hill. Independent Chronicle and Boston Patriot; Date: 06-23-1824.
  • Antiques and the Arts. Image of "'Boston City Guards' militia drum, painted by Charles Hubbard, circa 1824, with an adaptation of the Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, flags and trumpets"
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