Artwork
Mrs. Ethel Cushing
Mrs. Ethel Cushing is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Howard Cushing. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. “Mrs.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a portrait genre work, the painting's primary function is to represent the likeness and presence of its sitter, Ethel Cushing.
The work is a portrait depicting Ethel Cushing, identified as the main subject of the painting. Created by Howard Gardiner Cushing in 1911, the oil-on-canvas piece presents a woman as its central figure. As a portrait genre work, the painting's primary function is to represent the likeness and presence of its sitter, Ethel Cushing.
The composition focuses exclusively on this individual, establishing her identity as the sole subject matter without additional symbolic elements or narrative scenes described in the available records.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1911, this portrait utilizes oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work presents a full-length depiction of its subject, Ethel Cushing, characterized by substantial vertical proportions, measuring approximately 214.6 centimeters in height against a width of 107.4 centimeters. As a formal portrait housed within the American Wing, the piece employs traditional materials consistent with early twentieth-century American painting practices.
The composition focuses entirely on the female figure, adhering to the conventions of the portrait genre through its direct representation of the sitter.
History & Provenance
Mrs. Ethel Cushing is an oil‑on‑canvas portrait painted in 1911 by Howard Gardiner Cushing. The work depicts Ethel Cushing as a woman and was created as a formal likeness within the family’s artistic circle. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as part of The American Wing and listed under the portrait genre.
The painting’s dimensions are 214.6 cm × 107.4 cm, and it has remained in the museum’s holdings since its acquisition.
Mrs. Ethel Cushing by Howard Cushing is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within The American Wing. The painting, executed in oil on canvas in 1911, measures 214.6 cm in height and 107.4 cm in width. No specific accession number or detailed exhibition history is recorded in the available sources.
Overview
“Mrs. Ethel Cushing” is an oil on canvas portrait depicting the artist’s wife. This work captures a moment of quiet contemplation, presenting the sitter in a relaxed pose that suggests an intimate, unposed interaction. The painting is housed within the American Wing, reflecting its place within the tradition of American art.
It offers a glimpse into the personal world of the artist, Howard Cushing, through his frequent depictions of his spouse.
Context
This portrait aligns with a broader trend in early 20th-century American art, where artists often captured the likenesses of women with a sense of calm and introspection. “Mrs. Ethel Cushing” exemplifies this approach, offering a serene portrayal that invites quiet observation. It contributes to the understanding of American portraiture during a period that valued both formal elegance and a nuanced depiction of individual character within domestic or personal settings.
Artist & collection
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