Portraits Reunited At Uniacke Estate Museum Park
Two portraits, strongly linked with the history of Nova Scotia, were reunited on Sunday, May 29, during a celebration at Uniacke Estate Museum Park in Mount Uniacke.
The event welcomed home the portrait of Susanna Francklin, the wife of one of Nova Scotia's early political figures, Michael Francklin -- lieutenant-governor of the province in the late 1700s.
The 240-year-old painting was installed at Uniacke House, next to a portrait of her husband. The portrait is a recent addition to the Nova Scotia Museum collection.
Painted about 1762 by John Singleton Copley -- a well-known American colonial portrait painter -- Susanna's portrait first arrived in Nova Scotia just after its creation. For many years it was displayed at Uniacke House. It remained in the province until 1927, when the portrait was relocated to Europe.
The purchase was co-funded by the Nova Scotia Museum board of governors, through its endowment fund, and Canadian Heritage, through a Movable Cultural Property grant. The grant was provided by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, under the terms of the Cultural Property Export and Import Act.
"I am pleased that the government of Canada supports heritage activities in Nova Scotia," said Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, on behalf of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Liza Frulla. "This portrait is a wonderful addition to the Uniacke Estate here in Hants County."
"We are delighted to have been a part of facilitating this reunion," said Lloyd Newman, vice-chair of the Nova Scotia Museum board of governors. "To be able to help repatriate the portrait of Susanna and see it returned to its place in Uniacke House has been an honour for the board of governors."
Michael and Susanna Francklin married in Boston in 1762, and moved to Nova Scotia where they spent the rest of their lives. Michael Francklin's portrait was purchased by the Nova Scotia Museum in 1982, also with the assistance of Canadian Heritage.
Portraits of Susanna Francklin's parents, the Boutineaus, are also on display at Uniacke House. Together, the artworks form a significant Canadian collection of American colonial portrait paintings.
Uniacke Estate Museum Park opens to the public on June 1. The museum will be open daily until Oct. 15.