Col. Anton C. Cron
ca. 1927
Medium
Painting-Miniature
Classification
Painting-Miniature
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Frederick W. Cron
Accession Number
1961.9.3
Tags
About this artwork
This miniature shows the artistâs husband, Anton Caesar Cron (1878-1960). Cron served as a major during World War I, and by 1920 had been promoted to lieutenant colonel. He was a professor of military science and tactics in Missoula, Montana, from 1919 until 1921. Nina and Anton had three sons, Frederick, Lucius, and Robert.
Art Historical Context
This intimate miniature portrait, painted around 1927 by Nina Nash Cron, captures her husband, Lt. Col. Anton Caesar Cron, in a waist-length view. Anton served as a major in World War I and rose to lieutenant colonel by 1920, later teaching military science and tactics in Missoula, Montana. The work reflects the couple’s shared life, as the Crons raised three sons while Anton pursued his military career. Miniature paintings like this one held special meaning in the early twentieth century. Often created as personal keepsakes rather than public displays, they allowed families to carry or displ...