Jennie Augusta Brownscombe

Jennie Augusta Brownscombe, His Final Toast

Art recovery work is not for everyone.  This painting entitled “His Final Toast” depicting George Washington saying goodbye to his officers at the Fraunces Tavern in New York had disappeared from the inventory of Lafayette College in Pennsylvania in 1993.  No police report was filed, unfortunately.  The painting was last seen in 19

The painting surfaced in 2001 when an attorney, representing an estate, was performing his due diligence on the art collection under his care.   Nearly six years of negotiations between art historians (who billed the college) and the Estate lawyers could not produce the desired result.

Attorney Chris Marinello was brought into the negotiations in 2007 and managed to convince the current possessor and their attorney that the rightful place for the painting was Lafayette College.  The piece was returned in September 2007 pursuant to a confidential settlement agreement.