Michele Felice Corné was born in Naples, Italy and came to America in 1800. He lived in Salem, Massachusetts and then in Boston, settling in Newport in 1822. Corné is known for marine paintings and also for decorative paintings in residences – murals, overmantles and painted wall paper. The Historical Society has several works by Corné including three sketches that were clearly produced to be used in decorative wall painting. Two of the drawings are outlined with a series of punch holes, which the artist could use to transfer the drawing to the wall. They are charming depictions of regular life in early 19th century New England, and offer great details of dress and equipment (look at the baby walker!).
The drawing here is of three men talking. When we began to remove an old glued backing from the sketch, we had an unexpexcted additional find as this previously unknown drawing of a sloop began to emerge on the reverse.