Artwork
Carolyn Mishner
Carolyn Mishner is a watercolor painting by the British Romanticist artist Hugh Bridport. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1985.141.4
- Credit line
- Purchase, Gift of Martin Birnbaum, by exchange, 1985
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work is a portrait of an unidentified woman, rendered in watercolor on ivory in 1825 by Hugh Bridport.
The work is a portrait of an unidentified woman, rendered in watercolor on ivory in 1825 by Hugh Bridport. As a portrait in the genre of early American painting, it functions as a formal record of female appearance and social standing, employing conventional iconography of the period to suggest modesty and respectability. The piece is housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, underscoring its significance within the museum's collection of early American artworks.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in watercolor on an ivory support, as noted in the artist’s record. Its modest dimensions measure approximately 6.2 × 5.2 units, documented in the Metropolitan Museum of Art catalog. The piece belongs to the portrait genre and portrays a woman, reflecting the conventions of early‑19th‑century American portraiture.
The medium’s translucency and delicate handling of tone are characteristic of watercolor on ivory, a support that provides a smooth, slightly reflective surface. No further details on handling or condition are supplied in the available records.
History & Provenance
Created in 1825, the watercolor on ivory portrait titled Carolyn Mishner was executed by the artist Hugh Bridport. The work, which depicts a woman, has been associated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is held within the collection of the American Wing. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the detailed chain of ownership prior to its museum acquisition are not elaborated upon in the available records, the piece is firmly dated to the early nineteenth century based on its inception year.
Overview
Hugh Bridport created this watercolor portrait of Carolyn Mishner around 1825. Rendered on a small piece of ivory, the work captures a young woman's likeness with delicate detail. This intimate format was characteristic of the period, serving as a personal memento. The artist's use of watercolor on ivory allowed for subtle effects, enhancing the subject's features.
Artist & collection
