Who painted Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason?

Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason was painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1798-01-01.

Where can I see Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason?

Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason?

Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason?

Museum-quality prints of Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason

Gilbert Stuart , 1800

Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason is an oil painting by the Realist artist Gilbert Stuart. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason as an emblem of Federal-era refinement, her poised posture and direct gaze embodying the virtues of modesty and civic duty expected of young women in post-revolutionary America. The delicate rendering of her hand resting on an open prayer book signifies piety, while the muted palette and restrained drapery underscore the neoclassical emphasis on moral rectitude over ostentatious display. Executed in 1798 by Gilbert Stuart, the work functions as both a family record and an idealized representation of republican femininity, linking private lineage to the nascent nation’s aspirational values.

Technique & Style

Gilbert Stuart employed oil paint on canvas to create the portrait of Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason in 1798.

Gilbert Stuart employed oil paint on canvas to create the portrait of Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason in 1798. The work measures 73.8 cm in height and 61.0 cm in width, reflecting the formal dimensions typical of late 18th-century American portraiture. The composition demonstrates Stuart's characteristic attention to fine detail and refined brushwork, particularly evident in the rendering of facial features and fabric textures. The painting remains in good condition, preserved within the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

History & Provenance

The painting titled Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason was created in 1798 by American artist Gilbert Stuart. It is an oil on canvas portrait depicting Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason. The work was painted in the United States and is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view.

The painting entered the museum's holdings through a documented acquisition, reflecting its established provenance tied to the institution's collection since at least the early 20th century. Its creation history is anchored to Stuart's active period in the late 18th century, with the work likely completed during his time in Philadelphia, where he painted many members of the American elite.

Overview

Created in 1800 by American portraitist Gilbert Stuart, this oil painting depicts Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason. The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies Stuart’s reputation for rendering sitters with precise realism.

Context

Stuart, a leading figure in early American art, was known for his portraits of prominent individuals. This work aligns with his broader output, which combined European academic techniques with a distinctly American sensibility, documenting the emerging nation’s social elite.

Elizabeth Beltzhoover Mason, Gilbert Stuart

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Artist & collection

Artist

Gilbert Stuart

Gilbert Stuart (né Stewart; December 3, 1755 – July 9, 1828) was an American painter born in the Rhode Island Colony who is widely considered one of America's foremost portraitists.