Oil Portrait of Miriam Marks Nones and Child

An oil painting depicting Miriam Marks Nones holding her child. This is the second in a pair of family portraits; the first, depicting Benjamin Nones, is item 1.289 in this collection. Miriam married Benjamin Nones on May 2, 1782, in Philadelphia, and they had 13 children. The painting may have been created in 1791, the year Benjamin became President of Congregation Mikveh Israel. If so, the child depicted is Isaac Moses Nones (October 29, 1788 – October 28, 1805). Note that Benjamin Nones experienced bankruptcy in 1795 and subsequent financial hardship; it is therefore unlikely that he commissioned portraits after that date. Benjamin Nones (1757-1826) was an American soldier who emigrated from Bordeaux to Philadelphia around 1777. He served with distinction in the Revolutionary War, notably under Count Pulaski during the siege of Savannah. Post-war, he worked in brokerage with Haym Solomon, was naturalized on October 9, 1784, and served as president of Congregation Mikveh Israel from 1791. In 1800, he published a defense of Judaism and republicanism in the *Gazette of the United States* (Philadelphia).

Associated People/Businesses

• Nones, Miriam Marks

Geography

No geographic information available.

Subjects

• Portrait painting
• Jews, American
• United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783

Physical Location

Atelier General Storage