Artwork
Mrs. Daniel Parkman (Mary George McDonough)
Mrs. Daniel Parkman (Mary George McDonough) is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Anthony Meucci. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Created in 1825 by Anthony Meucci, the piece functions as a formal representation of its female subject, capturing her likeness on a small scale measuring 8.
The work is a portrait depicting Mary George McDonough Parkman, the wife of Daniel Parkman. Created in 1825 by Anthony Meucci, the piece functions as a formal representation of its female subject, capturing her likeness on a small scale measuring 8.4 by 6.8 inches. As a portrait executed in watercolor on ivory, the primary iconographic focus is the individual identity and presence of Mrs. Daniel Parkman.
The artwork serves to commemorate her status and appearance within the context of early 19th-century American portraiture, identifying her specifically as the main subject of the composition. The depiction emphasizes her role as a woman of the era, preserving her visual record for posterity without additional allegorical symbolism noted in the available records.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolor on ivory, this miniature portrait by Anthony Meucci measures 8.4 by 6.8 centimeters, a scale typical of intimate keepsake likenesses produced in the early nineteenth century. The ivory support, prized for its smooth, luminous surface, allowed the artist to work with delicate, translucent washes that yield fine detail in the sitter's features while preserving a soft, enamel-like finish. Meucci's handling reflects the refined miniaturist tradition, with controlled brushwork suited to the small format and the absorbent ground of the ivory panel. The work is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing.
History & Provenance
The portrait titled Mrs. Daniel Parkman (Mary George McDonough) was executed in 1825 by American artist Anthony Meucci as a watercolor on ivory, depicting Mary George McDonough Parkman. It belongs to the portrait genre and was classified within The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work entered the museum’s collection, where it remains on view, and its creation is documented by contemporary records indicating a commission from the sitter’s family, though specific patronage details are not recorded.
The painting’s dimensions are 8.4 × 6.8 inches, and its inception is dated to 1825, reflecting the early period of American portraiture.
Mrs. Daniel Parkman (Mary George McDonough) is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The watercolor on ivory, painted by Anthony Meucci in 1825, is classified within the museum’s American Wing as a portrait and is listed under the subject Mary George McDonough Parkman. The collection record identifies the work as part of the museum’s holdings, though no specific accession or inventory number is disclosed in the available documentation.
Exhibition records cited do not mention prior displays of this piece, indicating that its public display history is not recorded in the sources consulted.
Overview
This small watercolor portrait by Anthony Meucci, created around 1825, depicts Mrs. Daniel Parkman, identified as Mary George McDonough. Rendered on a delicate ivory surface, the work exemplifies the popular practice of miniature portraiture during the early 19th century. These intimate artworks served as personal mementos, allowing individuals to carry images of their loved ones with them.
Context
In an era predating photography, miniature portraits like this one functioned as cherished keepsakes, akin to modern photographs. They enabled individuals to maintain a visual connection with family members or romantic partners, often carried in lockets or small cases. This practice highlights the societal value placed on personal representation and the desire to preserve the image of loved ones.
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