Paintings & Sculpture

Young man with hair parted on left is wearing a dark jacket, white shirt and white cravat.  Background is mottled blue with areas of tan, and his shadow is cast on background at lower right.

Governor William Henry Seward Portrait by Henry Inman

c. 1843

Oil portrait on canvas of Governor William Henry Seward by Henry Inman. This was a study for a full-length portrait of Governor Seward commissioned by the New York City Common Council. A young man with hair parted on left is wearing a dark jacket, white shirt and white cravat.  ...

A 3/4 length figure in white, brocaded satin dress holding fan.

Anna Wharton Seward Portrait by Emanuel Leutze

  c. 1867

Oil on canvas portrait of Anna Wharton Seward, wife of Frederick Seward and daughter-in-law of Secretary Seward. Mounted in an ornate gilt frame. A 3/4 length figure in white, brocaded satin dress holding the Japanese delegation fan. Gifted to Ana from William Henry Seward to...

 Young woman with brown eyes and brown hair pulled back and styled to frame her face, wearing a dark garment with v-neckline and white ruffles.  The background is a mottled blue with pink highlights.

Frances Adeline Miller Seward Portrait by Henry Inman

c. 1843

Oil on canvas portrait of Frances Adeline Miller Seward, wife of Secretary William H. Seward. Painted by Henry Inman. Signed and dated, August 1843. Frances is depicted here as a young woman with brown eyes and brown hair pulled back and styled to frame her face, wearing a dark...

Frederick William Seward Portrait by Charles Peterson

c. 1895

Oil portrait on canvas of Frederick W. Seward (1830-1919), second son of Secretary of State William Henry Seward. Painted by Auburn artist Charles Peterson in 1895, based on a photograph. Mounted in a gilt frame.

JUDGE ELIJAH MILLER

c.1815

Portrait of Judge Elijah Miller. 

DANTE’S INFERNO

c. 1869

Oil painting "Dante and Virgil with Holfernes in the Infernal Regions."

Painting

American School oil painting on canvas of Kane's Walk. Artist - unknown, c. 1840. Painting shows "Jenny," the family's pet deer in foreground.

BUST

c. 1840

Plaster bust of Gov. William. H. Seward by Chauncey Bradley Ives.

CASTING

c.1865

Plaster cast of Frances Seward attributed to John Rogers.

FIGURINE

c. 1859

Bronze figure of a wild boar set on light colored, rectangular mable piece.

PEDESTAL

Late nineteenth century,

Verde antico marble pedestal, carved with fishes.

SCULPTURE, G. WASHINGTON

c. 1840

Marble, oval plaque of George Washington in square natural wood frame by Carew, an Albany artist.

RELIGIOUS PAINTING

Mid nineteenth century,

Italian school religious painting on gilded, wooden panel. "Tabernacle" frame.

RELIGIOUS PAINTING

Mid nineteenth century,

Italian school religious painting on gilded, wooden panel. "Tabernacle" frame.

MEXICO PAINTING

 

c. 1869.

 

Oil painting on canvas. Cathedral in Mexico City (one of pair - 1951. 1.162). Unknown artist. 

Presented to Sec. William. H. Seward by the Academy of Design in Mexico City.

BUST

c. 1859

Bronze bust of classical young man, with green patina. Acquired by Sec. William Henry Seward during his visit to Italy in 1859.

BAS RELIEF

c. 1877

 

Oval white marble portrait bas-relief of Sec. William Henry Seward.

STATUE

c. Late nineteenth Century

 

Italian carved marble figure of Alpine lovers.

STATUE

c. 1888

Italian carved marble figure of a boy reading a newspaper with a jug in back of him. Name of paper is "La Nazione."

STATUE

c. 1888

White carved marble figure of a woman with inscription "Dopo il Lavoro." 

THOMAS JEFFERSON

 c. 1830-1840

Oil painting on canvas of Thomas Jefferson by Charles King.

BARNYARD SCENE BY MELCHIOR D' HONDECOETER

17th Century

Oil painting on canvas - "Barnyard Scene."  A dark toned painting consisting of  rabbits, chickens, a variety of domestic fowl, and several varieties of birds of prey attacking fowl.

FANNY SEWARD PORTRAIT BY EMANUEL LEUTZE

 c. 1867

Oil on canvas 3/4 portrait of Frances "Fanny" Adeline Seward (1844-1866), daughter of Sec. Seward. Young girl with dark hair pulled back, with some loose curls falling on back; she is facing left.  She is wearing a gown with a sheer white lace upper bodice and lavender lower...

Winged naked cupid stand as if he has just thrown an arrow looking off to his right. A cloth wraps around his body to cover his private area.

Pair of bronze cupids

Late 19th century

These two cupids are on display in the Library standing of either side of the fireplace mantle.

bronze centaur with his head thrown back and arms behind his back standing on a rectangular marble base

Centaur bookends

Late 19th century

A pair of bronze centaur bookends. One bronze centaur has his head thrown back and his arms behind his back as he stands on a rectangular marble base. The other bookend shows a clean shaven bronze centaur carrying a club and a skin of a fox over one arm while the other...

white carved marble pair of horses standing on a single attached marble oval base

Landseer Horses

19th Century 

A white carved marble pair of horses standing on a single attached marble oval base.  Horse statue is from Florence, Italy. It was obtained by William Seward II in 1888.

Seward Coat of Arms, in watercolor with family motto "Esse quam videri."  Mounted in a white and gilt frame.

Seward Coat of Arms

Date Unknown

Seward Coat of Arms, in watercolor with family motto "Esse quam videri." Esse quam videri is a Latin phrase meaning "To be, rather than to seem."

Older woman with brown eyes and dark hair braided up and wearing a light white/grey bonnet.  Draped over her shoulders is a grey fringed shawl with darker crewel-like designs.  Underneath she is wearing a dark garment with a white scarf at her neck.  The background is a solid dark brown.

Mary Jennings Seward Portrait by William Morgan

c. Mid 19th Century

Oil portrait on canvas of Mary Jennings Seward (1769-1844).  Mother of Secretary Wm. H . Seward. Painted by Artist William Morgan after original by Frederick Spencer.

Dr. Samuel Swazey Seward Portrait by William Morgan

c. Mid 19th Century

Oil portrait on canvas of Dr. Samuel Swazey Seward (1768-1849), father of Secretary Seward.  Painted by Artist William Morgan, based on originals by Frederick Spencer. 

Woman Dressed in black gown with gold scarf knotted around her throat.  Mounted in plain gilt frame.

Cornelia Seward Canfield Portrait by John Peter Frankenstein

c. 1830-1835

Oil portrait on canvas of Cornelia Seward Canfield (1805-1839) sister to Sec. William Henry Seward.  Painted by German Artist John Peter Frankenstein, John Peter Frankenstein (1816-1881) was a mostly self-taught portrait painter. He quickly became a famous portrait painter...

 Anna is shown seated, in dark, long-sleeved dress with white fur thrown over back of chair.

Anna Wharton Seward Portrait by Frank Buchser

c. 1869

Oil on canvas portrait of Anna Wharton Seward, wife of Frederick Seward, and daughter-in-law of Sec. Seward. Painted by Swiss artist Frank Buchser, Ana served as the official hostess of Seward's Washington, D.C. residences. Anna was responsible for planning and organizing all of...

Janet MacNeill Watson Seward Portrait

Date Unknown

Portrait of Janet MacNeill Watson Seward, Wife of William H. Seward II. Artist unknown. Currently on display in the drawing room. 

William H. Seward II Portrait by Charles Peterson

c. 1897

Oil on canvas bust-length portrait of William. H. Seward II in uniform.  Painted by local artist Charles Peterson in 1897. Shows General Seward as young officer, Union army, Civil War.  

Augustus Henry Seward Portrait by Charles Peterson

c. 1896

Oil portrait on canvas of Augustus Henry Seward, eldest son of Sec. Wm. H. Seward (1826-1876), dressed in military uniform.  Painted by American Artist Charles Peterson.

A bronze dog figurine of a setter breed, on a ovoid base lined on the bottom with green felt.

Bronze Dog Figurine

Late 19th Cenutry

Currently on display in the library. A bronze dog figurine of a setter breed, on a ovoid base lined on the bottom with green felt.  "COALBROOKDALE" marking on base.  Used as a doorstop.

Plaster bas relief of Guido's Ecce Homo.  Wooden frame set into bookcase wall.

Bas Relief of Christ

c. 1859

Bas Relief: Head of Christ, copy of Ecce Homo by Guido, thought to have been brought back from Rome by William Henry Seward in 1859 for his wife. Found in attic and replaced in library wall in 1953. Ecce Homo means “Behold the man”, and were the words from Pontius Pilot used to...

Two bronze figures attached at the foot.  Each figure has a walnut used for the chest, allowing movement in figures.

Don Quixote and Sancho Bronze Figurines

Late 19th Century 

Two bronze figures attached at the foot.  Each figure has a walnut used for the chest, allowing movement in figures.

Don Quixote is a Spanish novel by Miguel de Cervantes. It was originally published in two parts in 1605 and 1615. A founding work of Western...

Abraham Lincoln Portrait by Matthew Brady

c. 1860

Carte de visite of Lincoln. Carte de visite was a type of small photograph. Each photograph was the size of a calling card, and such photographs were commonly traded amongst friends and visitors in the 1860s.Signed by Lincoln. Image taken by Brady. Brady is known for being one of...

 (imperial photograph) mounted behind glass in gilt frame. Seward seated and Frances standing. “58” on bottom right corner of frame.

Fanny & Mr. Seward by Matthew Brady

 c. 1864

Photograph of Secretary Seward and daughter Frances by Matthew Brady. Fanny is about 14 years old in this photograph. Seward is pictured seated in most of his portraits due to a height insecurity.

older gentleman with grey hair in formal evening dress (black suit jacket and waiste coat and bowtie) with his right hand raised to his temple as if he is thinking

William Henry Seward by John Phillips

c. 1856

Oil painting on canvas, painted by Scottish-born painter John Philip, commissioned by George Washington Patterson, Lt. Governor and Congressman of NY and friend of Seward. John Philip (1817-1867) was a Victorian era Scottish painter best known for his portrayals of Spanish life...

Athena Statue

Late 19th Century

Plater copy, currently showcased in the Parlor!

 

Venus Statue

Late 19th century 

Italian carved marble figural group of Venus riding a lion with verde antico marble pedestal.

 

Wooden Bear Umbrella Stand

c. 1867

Wooden bear umbrella stand from the Black Forest region of Germany. Glass eyes with wooden link chain around the neck and in paws. Metal tray in base to catch water from umbrellas. To have been obtained by William. H. Seward II while visiting in Europe in 1888.

older gentleman with white/grey hair in a suit jacket, starched white shirt, and starched black bow-tie. He sits in a red arm chair in front of a single draped red curtain holding the Albany Journal. He looks at the viewer with a furrowed brow as if he is concerned

Thurlow Weed Portrait by Alvah Bradish

Early 19th Century

Weed was a mentor and life- long friend of Seward. He was integral in getting Seward involved in politics and continued as an advisor throughout his long career.

Painted by Alvah Bradish (1806-1901). He was born in Fredonia, New York but moved to Detroit where he...

Young man with close-cropped hair wearing a white shirt with a cravat, a grey waistcoat, and a dark blue jacket. His cheeks are a ruddy red as if the wind has chapped his cheeks. He leans back in a chair with his left arm draped over the back of a wooden chair. He sits behind a table with a green table cloth and a beige leather book on top of the table.

Judge Miller Portrait by William J. Weaver

c. 1818-1820

Oil painting on wooden panel of Judge Elijah Miller as a young man. Painted by William J Weaver (1759-1817), an artist born in London who came into prominence in North America. He is most famous for his painting of Alexander Hamilton which hangs in the United States State...

Elderly man with blue eyes and receeded hair line in a seated position.  Wearing a dark suit with white shirt and white cravat.  His left hand is resting on wooden arm of chair.  Background a solid dark brown.

John Quincy Adams's Portrait by Chester Harding

c.1848 

Oil painting on canvas of John Quincy Adams (6th president of the U.S. 1825-1829); Adams visited Seward House in Auburn in 1843. Commissioned by Seward. Painted by American portrait artist Chester Harding. 

Context from "William H. Seward at Washington 1846-1861" Vol 2 of...

Older gentleman with light grey hair and brown eyes is wearing a dark jacket, vest and white cravat.  Background is a solid dark brown.

Elijah Miller's Portrait by Chester Harding

c. 1840-1843

Oil portrait on canvas of Elijah Miller, father-in-law to Sec. Seward. The first homeowner of the Seward House. Painted by American portrait artist Chester Harding.

Three Graces Sculpture

c. 1870

 Located in the downstairs hall at the bottom of the grand staircase, a bronze patina metal figural newel post sculpture. Holding Bohemian overlay cranberry and clear trumpet vase. Palm tree standard.

Bronzed over white plaster bust of  William. Henry Seward as Secretary of State

William Henry Seward's Bust

 c. 1930

Bronzed over white plaster bust of  William. Henry Seward as Secretary of State. Sculpted by Daniel Chester French. French was an American sculptor of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, best known for his design of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The...

Plaster bust set on pedestal of Abraham Lincoln as President. Bronzing paint over white plaster.

Abraham Lincoln's Bust

 c. 1865

Plaster bust set on pedestal of Abraham Lincoln as President. Bronzing paint over white plaster.  Sculpted by Mr. Thomas D. Jones of Cincinnati, OH. According to the family, it was displayed in Seward's Washington home and brought back to Auburn. Seward said that he would place...

 seven gentlemen in dark suits situated throughout a room draped with two U.S. flags and a Russian flag in upper left.  There are maps hanging in the background and a large world globe in the center of the room with a gentleman standing and pointing to NW Canada and Alaska. Men present in painting are Sec. William Henry. Seward (seated, with map on knee); Mr. Chew, chief clerk with the engrossed copy; Mr. Hunter and Mr. Bodisco comparing the English and French copies; Edward deStoeckl, Representative from

"Signing of the Alaska Treaty" by Emanuel Leutze

c. 1867

A gift to Seward from his friend Peter Cooper. This American painting depicts the scene in Seward’s office on March 30, 1867 as he and Eduard de Stoeckl of Russia negotiate the purchase of the Alaskan Territory. The men present in painting are Sec. William Henry. Seward (seated,...

Alaska Flag Painting by Benny Benson

 c. 1959

Framed Alaskan flag with hand painted gold decoration and a signature of Benny Benson, Alaskan native and flag designer. Includes an black and white photograph of Benson. Was a gift to the Seward House Museum from Benny Benson when he visited the Museum in 1960.

Buddha statue

18th Century

Burmese carved alabaster figure of seated Buddha.  Remnants of coral, red and gold decoration.  "Peaceful Buddha."  Presented to Secretary William Seward while in China on his world tour.

Oval engraving announcing the death of President Abraham Lincoln. Decorated with pressed flowers from the President's casket.

Pressed Flowers from Lincoln’s Casket

c. 1865

Oval engraving announcing the death of President Abraham Lincoln. Decorated with pressed flowers from the President's casket. Gifted to Seward after Lincoln’s funeral as Seward was unable to join due to injuries he sustained from his carriage accident and assassination attempt in...

Miller-Seward Family Silhouettes

 C. 1833

A picture of the family that resided in Elijah Miller's home before the property renovations. There are Seven cut-out silhouettes of (left to right) Paulina Miller (mother of Judge Miller), Judge Elijah Miller, Clarinda Miller (sister of Judge Miller), William. H. Seward,...

Terracotta Bust of Venus, Goddess of Love

C. 4th Century BCE

Etruscan terracotta head of a woman. Seward House records show that the bust was given to Seward by the prominent archaeologist, Luigi Palma di Cesnola (early Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art who excavated extensively in Cyprus.)  The records also state that...

Water-powered mill with water flowing over the overshot waterwheel.  Some clapboards and shingles missing on building.  Pigeons perch on roof.  A young boy with a fishing pole walks in foreground at right.

"The Old Mill" by George L. Clough

c. 1870

Oil painting "The Old Mill" by Auburn and Cayuga County Artist George L. Clough   

Water-powered mill with water flowing over the overshot waterwheel.  Some clapboards and shingles missing on building.  Pigeons perch on roof.  A young boy with a fishing pole walks in...

white marble statue

The Veiled Lady

19th Century

This white marble bust of a veiled woman on display in the front hall was owned by Will Jr., William Henry Seward’s son. Purchased by William H. Seward II in 1888 during a trip to Italy. Artist unknown however the Veiled Lady was a very popular design in the 19th century that...