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Fred Wilson - First Lady Martha Johnson Patterson - Signed Oil on Board - 1962

10107

Martha Johnson Patterson Daughter of Former First Lady. Martha Johnson Patterson was a daughter of Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States and his wife Eliza McCardle Johnson.

Since Eliza was not able to serve as First Lady due to her poor health, she remained confined to a room on the second floor, leaving the social chores to her daughter (Martha Johnson Patterson). Mrs. Johnson appeared publicly as First Lady on only two occasions at a reception for Queen Emma of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1866 and at the president's birthday party in 1867.  Vintage 1962 Portrait Oil on Board by Fred Wilson (1898-1978) Framed.  This piece measures 14 ¾ x 17 ¾ x 1 3/8 inch. Board measures ca: 9 ¾ x 12 inches.

Fred Wilson was born in Kinsley, Kansas in 1898. He was a career government architect. He designed dozens of Post offices all over the US, among other government buildings. He was a prolific portrait artist, focusing primarily on historical figures. Most of his paintings were done during his retirement years in Venice, FL (1956-78). He had a massive stroke in 1965 which ended his painting career. He died in 1978. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.