relations between la fete and the u.s. government soured.and his brother pierre were hired on as informants for spain, which at the time, mexico was trying to gain independence from spain. so, he used galveston as a base of operations for not only the sort of spying but also his privateering endeavors as well. it's a unique piece. the provenance is interesting. a local family was building a mansion on broadway. and when they tore down the old house and were laying the foundation for the new one, they discovered a number of confederate artifacts and this painting rolled up in a tent. the family took this as possible jean lea fete painting. in the 1970's, the piece was donated to the library. however, it was speculation that led early foflslks to believe this was jean la fete. it has really caught fire, much like all the history with la fete there is a lot of mythology that is difficult to disentangle from fact. a few experts have taken a look at this portrait an and concluded it is most likely not la fete for a number of reasons, including th

the family took this as possible jean la fete painting. in the 1970's, the piece was donated to the library. however, it was speculation that led early folks to believe this was jean la fete. it has really caught fire, much like all the history with la fete, there is a lot of mythology that is difficult to disentangle from fact. a few experts have taken a look at this portrait and concluded it is most likely not la fete for a number of reasons, including the costume he's wearing. the hat looks like it belongs more in the 1600's rather than the 1800's. the lack of an undershirt, very central for an early 19th century proper portrait. notice the way he's holding a dagger. that would be -- the dagger would be facing down. so, this is a very foreboding man. he is going to stab you in the back and when you are not looking or stab from up above. some folks have speculated that it might just be a fanciful, victorian interpretation of la fete. and another idea is that it might be the famed actor edwin booth, brother of john wilkes booth who came t