Mary Elizabeth Francis, the Artist's Daughter

Object Details

Date
ca. 1840
Artist
John F. Francis, born Philadelphia, PA 1808-died Jeffersonville, PA 1886
Sitter
Mary Elizabeth Francis
Luce Center Label
In this charming portrait of his only daughter, John F. Francis included decorative props such as a floral-patterned carpet, straw hat with scarf, and a kitten. The oval format of the painting evokes the miniatures that nineteenth-century Americans commissioned to preserve the memories of their loved ones. Mary died in 1856, and by the end of the decade Francis had lost all of his immediate family. He survived for another thirty years, perhaps drawing comfort from this beautifully painted image of his daughter.
Topic
Animal\cat
Dress\accessory\hat
Portrait female\child
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Painting and Sculpture
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase and gift in memory of Grace Brereton Sturtevant, the artist's great niece
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Object number
1972.52
Type
Painting
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
36 5/8 x 29 3/8 in. (93.1 x 74.7 cm)
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk75a87981e-d7a8-4dd4-a75a-680c42729b22
Record ID
saam_1972.52