William Mathew Prior was a noted folk artist in New England in the second and third quarters of the nineteenth century.  As part of the Prior-Hamblin Group they produced paintings, mainly portraits, that are now eagerly sought after by folk art collectors and may bring tens of thousands of dollars at auction.  In his later years he retired from traveling the roads and opened a shop in Boston where he continued his portrait painting.  Only now he concentrated on doing reverse paintings on glass (eglomises) of famous people.  This painting being a fine example of that art form. It gives the portrait a charming presence seen in no other art form. Our piece is distinguished by the incredibly fine condition of the paint. These are usually found in horrible condition with the paint flaking or rubbed off in areas while ours is near mint.  The gilt frame is later but perfectly complements the painting.