Mrs. John Williams (Mary Sumner)
1801
unspecified
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts Boston
1801
unspecified
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts Boston
This portrait depicts a woman with short, light hair and a dark dress. She wears a lace-trimmed bonnet and a high-necked, ruffled collar. The subject's face is the focal point, with her gaze directed straight ahead. The background is a solid, dark color that helps the subject stand out. The painting is a classic example of a portrait from the early 19th century. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts of light and dark to create a sense of volume in modeling three-dimensional objects and figures, explore the works of Gilbert Stuart.
