Artwork
Persis Blair
Persis Blair is an unspecified painting by the American Impressionist artist Laura Coombs Hills. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
According to the documented record, the work is classified as a portrait and was created in the early twentieth century, measuring 17.
The painting Persis Blair, executed by Laura Coombs Hills in 1901, portrays a young girl as its central figure. According to the documented record, the work is classified as a portrait and was created in the early twentieth century, measuring 17.8 × 14 cm. The subject is presented without overt attributes, allowing the likeness itself to serve as the primary focus. As a portrait, the composition functions to capture the sitter's appearance and identity, a purpose reflected in the genre designation within the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. No additional symbolic elements are noted in the source descriptions.
History & Provenance
Persis Blair was painted in 1901 by American artist Laura Coombs Hills. The work measures approximately 17.8 cm in height and 14 cm in width and is classified as a portrait depicting a girl. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains today.
No earlier owners or commission details are recorded in the available sources, so the known provenance begins with the artist's creation and its subsequent acquisition by the Met. The records do not provide a specific accession number or any exhibition history for the piece.
Overview
Painted in 1901 by American artist Laura Coombs Hills, Persis Blair is a portrait of a young girl. This small, circular work, rendered in an American Impressionist style, exemplifies Hills's skill in capturing delicate likenesses. The painting is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a notable example of her portraiture and her broader artistic contributions.
Technique & Style
Hills employed an American Impressionist approach, characterized by soft colors and subtle transitions of light and shadow. The artist utilized smooth, blended brushstrokes, avoiding harsh outlines to create a delicate, lifelike quality. The small, round format, framed within a dark wooden circle reminiscent of a locket, highlights her expertise in miniature painting, a field where she was particularly renowned.
Context
Laura Coombs Hills was a prominent American artist, primarily recognized for her watercolors, pastels, and miniature portraits on ivory. She played a pivotal role in establishing miniature painting as a respected art form in the United States, becoming the first miniature painter elected to the Society of American Artists and co-founding the American Society of Miniature Painters.
Legacy
Beyond her celebrated portrait miniatures, Hills also contributed to children's literature as an illustrator. Her diverse artistic practice extended to creating visual narratives for authors such as Kate Douglas Wiggin, demonstrating her versatility and influence across different artistic domains during her career. Her work continues to be recognized for its delicate beauty and historical significance.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Laura Coombs Hills (1859–1952) was an American artist and illustrator who specialized in watercolor and pastel still life paintings, especially of flowers, and miniature portrait paintings on ivory.
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