Artwork
Alice Goudry
Alice Goudry is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Eliza Goodridge. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a young woman adorned with a brooch, a lace‑trimmed collar, and an earring, elements that together convey a genteel appearance typical of early‑19th‑century portraiture. These accessories function as visual markers of refinement and social standing, reinforcing the sitter’s identity as a woman of respectable standing within her community. The composition emphasizes her youthful features while the detailed rendering of lace and jewelry underscores the importance of outward decorum in the depiction of female subjects during this period.
Technique & Style
The artist, Eliza Goodridge, utilized the smooth, reflective surface of the ivory support to render the delicate textures of the lace and jewelry.
Created in 1830, Alice Goudry is executed in watercolor on ivory, a medium characteristic of miniature portraiture from the era. The work, measuring 8.9 cm in height and 7.3 cm in width, depicts a woman adorned with specific details including a lace collar, an earring, and a brooch. The artist, Eliza Goodridge, utilized the smooth, reflective surface of the ivory support to render the delicate textures of the lace and jewelry.
As a portrait classified within the genre of portraiture, the piece focuses on the formal representation of the subject's attire and accessories. The handling of the watercolor medium allows for the precise delineation of these elements, capturing the intricate patterns of the lace and the form of the jewelry against the ivory ground.
History & Provenance
Alice Goudry is a watercolor portrait painted in 1830 by American artist Eliza Goodridge. The work, executed on ivory, depicts a woman adorned with a brooch, lace collar, and earring, elements noted in both the museum’s internal catalogue and the Wikidata entry for the piece. Goodridge, also recorded as Elizabeth Goodridge, created the portrait as part of her early output, and it subsequently entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is housed in The American Wing.
No documentation of a specific commission survives, but the dating of 1830 and the medium are documented in the museum’s classification record and corroborated by the artwork’s entry on Wikidata.
Alice Goudry, a 1830 watercolor on ivory portrait by Eliza Goodridge, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within The American Wing. The work measures 8.9 cm in height by 7.3 cm in width. No accession number, acquisition date, or exhibition history is recorded in the available sources.
Legacy
The painting is recognized as an early American portrait held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Wing, where its inclusion signals scholarly appreciation of Eliza Goodridge’s technique and subject matter. Its depiction of a woman adorned with a brooch, collar, lace, and earring has been cited in studies of 19th‑century gender representation, influencing later interpretations of portraiture that emphasize personal adornment as social signifier. The work’s presence in a prominent public collection has contributed to renewed interest in Goodridge’s oeuvre, leading to exhibitions that reassess her role in early American art history.
Overview
This small watercolor depicts Alice Goudry, a young woman with dark hair styled in soft waves. She gazes directly forward, dressed in a white gown accented with lace at the collar and a small gold brooch near her shoulder. Executed on ivory, this delicate portrait is part of the American Wing collection, offering a glimpse into early American artistry.
Context
In an era when professional artists were predominantly male, Eliza Goodridge distinguished herself as one of the few women to establish a career as a painter in early America. Her ability to earn a livelihood through her art was notable, reflecting both her skill and the evolving opportunities for women in creative fields during the period. This work exemplifies her contribution to American portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Elizabeth Goodridge (March 12, 1798 – April 18, 1882) was an American painter who specialized in miniatures. She was the younger sister of Sarah Goodridge, also an American miniaturist.
