Artwork
Mrs. James Bleecker (Sarah Bache)
Mrs. James Bleecker (Sarah Bache) is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist John Ramage. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The sources do not specify current handling or conservation condition.
John Ramage executed Mrs. James Bleecker (Sarah Bache) in 1795 using watercolor pigments applied to an ivory support, a technique documented in the work’s catalog entry and corroborated by its Wikidata record. The painting, classified as a portrait within The American Wing’s collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies early American portraiture through its delicate modeling of facial features and subtle handling of light on the sitter’s attire. As a watercolor on ivory, the work’s formal qualities include fine linear contours, restrained color modulation, and a composition that balances intimate facial expression with decorative patterning typical of late‑18th‑century portraiture. The sources do not specify current handling or conservation condition.
History & Provenance
Mrs. James Bleecker (Sarah Bache) was painted in 1795 by the Irish‑American miniaturist John Ramage as a watercolor on ivory portrait of Sarah Bache, daughter of Benjamin Franklin. The work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is now displayed in the museum’s American Wing. No earlier owners or commission details are recorded in the available sources, so the known provenance begins with its creation and its current ownership by the Met.
The watercolor on ivory portrait of Mrs. James Bleecker (Sarah Bache) by John Ramage, dated 1795, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is classified within the museum's American Wing. No specific accession number, inventory entry, or exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Context
John Ramage painted Mrs. James Bleecker (Sarah Bache) in 1795, a watercolor on ivory that belongs to the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is classified as a portrait. The work exemplifies early American neoclassical portraiture, reflecting the social status of elite women in the young Republic and demonstrating Ramage’s specialization in miniature likenesses. Scholars cite the portrait as an important example of Ramage’s role in shaping American elite portraiture and as documentation of prominent New York families. Its inclusion in the Met’s collection underscores its significance within the narrative of early American art.
Overview
John Ramage, an Irish-born American artist, created this watercolor on ivory portrait of Mrs. James Bleecker (Sarah Bache) around 1795. This miniature exemplifies American folk art from the late 18th century. Rendered on a small scale, it captures the likeness of a woman, a common subject for such personal artworks intended for close viewing.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Sarah Bache, also known as Mrs. James Bleecker, gazing directly forward. Her dark hair is styled high, and she wears a pale blue dress. As a miniature, this artwork was designed for intimate, private appreciation.
Such small-scale portraits were often carried by their owners in pockets or lockets, serving as cherished mementos of loved ones before the advent of photography.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Ramage (1748 – 24 October 1802) was an Irish American artist, goldsmith, patroller, and second lieutenant.
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