American Folk Art - Attributed to Sturtevant J Hamblin 1817-1884 (Prior-Hamblin School)

Attributed to Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884), but probably by "Blake not Hamblin" Boy in Blue c 1840 (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant J. Hamblin worked as a portrait painter in Portland, Maine; and, sometime around 1839, he was working in Boston, Massachusetts, with his family. His facts are a little vague and can be confusing. His last name is sometimes spelled Hamblen, & he is sometimes listed as L. J. Hamblin. I am not certain of any of these attributions, as the Prior-Hamblin school is filled with great folk art with fuzzy attributions.

Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant worked with his brothers Eli, Joseph, Nathaniel, & their sister Rosamond, wife of artist William Matthew Prior. When Rosamond married Prior, the Hamblins & the Priors joined forces creating a family art business. Their art styles, as well as many other New England folk artists of that era, are very similar and nearly indistinguishable. Today, most unsigned paintings done in this style are commonly referred to as the Prior-Hamblin School. There seem to be only 7 known signed portraits by Sturtevant Hamblen. Sturtevant was listed as a portrait painter in Boston until 1856, when he & his brother Joseph went into the men’s furnishings business.

Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Little Boy with Flowers (Prior-Hamblin School)

Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Young Woman c 1840 (Prior-Hamblin School)

Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Pair of Double Portraits Laura Ann 9 yrs; Mary Ellen 7 yrs; George Albert 4 yrs; William Wood 2 yrs (Prior-Hamblin School)

Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Portrait of a Young Lady (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884)(Prior-Hamblin School)

Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Little Girl Holding Apple c 1840 (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Boy with Riding Crop (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) The Younger Generation c 1850 (Prior-Hamblin School)

Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Young Girl with Flowers (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Baby with Doll c 1850 (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Mother and Child (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Boy with Hoop (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Little Girl with Pet Rabbit c 1845 (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Sisters in Red c 1840-50 (Prior-Hamblin School)

Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Sisters in Blue c 1840 (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Young Boy Holding a Bow and Arrow with a Drum on the Floor (Prior-Hamblin School)


Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884) Girl with Apple (Prior-Hamblin School)