Artwork
Mrs. George Catlin (Clara Bartlet Gregory)
Mrs. George Catlin (Clara Bartlet Gregory) is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist George Catlin. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 38.146.13
- Credit line
- Fletcher Fund, 1938
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The artwork depicts Clara Bartlett Gregory Catlin, the wife of the artist George Catlin, serving as a formal portrait of a specific individual from 1830.
The artwork depicts Clara Bartlett Gregory Catlin, the wife of the artist George Catlin, serving as a formal portrait of a specific individual from 1830. As a portrait genre piece, the work's primary meaning lies in its representation of Clara herself, capturing her likeness on a small scale using watercolor on ivory. The subject matter is strictly biographical, focusing on the identity of the sitter rather than allegorical or mythological symbolism.
The piece functions as a personal commemoration within the American artistic tradition of the early nineteenth century, documenting the appearance of a prominent figure's spouse. No additional iconographic layers or symbolic narratives beyond the direct depiction of the sitter are indicated by the available records.
Technique & Style
The painting was executed in 1830 using watercolor on an ivory support, a technique documented for early‑American portrait miniatures. It belongs to the American Wing collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and portrays Clara Bartlett Gregory Catlin, identified as the sitter in the work. The composition follows conventional portrait conventions of the period, emphasizing a dignified pose and delicate rendering of facial features. No specific information regarding its current physical condition is provided in the records.
History & Provenance
The portrait Mrs. George Catlin (Clara Bartlet Gregory) is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is accessioned under the classification of American Wing portraiture. Executed in 1830, the work has been a part of the museum’s holdings, where it is recognized as a key example of George Catlin’s early portraiture in watercolor on ivory.
Overview
George Catlin's portrait of his wife, Clara Bartlett Gregory Catlin, dates to approximately 1830. Executed in watercolor on ivory, this intimate work captures the sitter with a calm demeanor, her hair neatly styled and wearing a dark dress with a white collar. The small-scale painting is characteristic of American folk art from the period and offers insight into Catlin's early career before his extensive travels.
Context
Created around 1830, this portrait predates George Catlin's well-known expeditions to the American West, where he extensively documented Native American cultures. While he later became celebrated for his ethnographic paintings, this early work showcases his skill in a more traditional, domestic genre. It also exemplifies the broader tradition of American folk art, which valued directness and personal connection over academic conventions.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Catlin ( KAT-lin; July 26, 1796 – December 23, 1872) was an American lawyer, painter, author, and traveler, who specialized in portraits of Native Americans in the American frontier.
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