Portrait of a Maine Woman (81.109)

Half-length, oil on canvas portrait of an unknown subject.

The subject is a middle-aged woman set against a solid, dark brown background that lightens in shade around her head and shoulders. She faces forward and gazes straight ahead towards the viewer. She has dark brown, drawn-back hair that is curled at the edges and covered with a white gauze hat or scarf tied with a small knot. She has a brown eyes, a downturned nose and a full, red mouth. Her face is round and ruddy. She is wearing a black dress with a white lace collar. with solemn expression holds open brown book in her proper right hand. She is wearing a black long-sleeved dress with a round neckline decorated and a gathered voile collar. On her right ear is visible a gold loop earring. Her left arm is by her side (hand not shown) while her right arm is bent at the elbow and she is holding a small open book. Her thumb is not visible and only one finger is shown fully extended.

Signatures/Marks
May 10, 1823