American Art Portrait of Mary Siddons Whelen (1788 - 1867) Made in United States, North and Central America1812 Thomas Sully, American (born England), 1783 - 1872 Oil on canvas * Gallery 107, American Art, first floor 1943-53-1 Gift of Mrs. Thomas J. Dolan, 1943 |
LabelIn 1809, a year after settling in Philadelphia, Thomas Sully sailed to London to further his artistic education. Among the British artists he met there was Sir Thomas Lawrence, whose richly painted romantic portraiture inspired Sully to adopt a similar style for his Philadelphia patrons. He completed this large, beguiling portrait of Mary Siddons Whelen in just one month; such speed suggests that he modeled the composition on a similar work by Lawrence. Still, the sensuous, graceful lines describing the sitter and the fitful movement of light over the contrasting smooth and rough forms of the picturesque landscape display Sully's independent artistry.* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit. |
