Artwork
Miss Annis
Miss Annis is a watercolor painting by the Romanticist artist Lawrence Sully. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a watercolor on ivory, the piece functions primarily as a commemorative likeness rather than a complex allegorical narrative.
The work depicts a young girl, identified in historical records as Miss Annis, rendered in the format of a miniature portrait. Executed in 1800 by Lawrence Sully, the image presents a white female subject, consistent with the genre of personal portraiture popular among the American elite during the early nineteenth century. As a watercolor on ivory, the piece functions primarily as a commemorative likeness rather than a complex allegorical narrative.
The iconography is straightforward, focusing on the individual's facial features and presence without additional symbolic attributes or narrative settings described in the available records. The representation serves to document the subject's appearance and social standing, typical of the era's miniature tradition which prioritized intimate, detailed depictions of individuals for private collections.
Technique & Style
Lawrence Sully executed Miss Annis as a watercolor portrait on a thin ivory panel, a format typical of early‑American miniature painting. The work measures roughly 6.3 cm in height by 5 cm in width and was completed in 1800, as recorded in the museum’s catalog and Wikidata entry. Sully employed delicate washes of pigment to render the sitter’s features with soft tonal gradation, while the restrained palette and fine line work emphasize the intimate scale and genteel poise characteristic of portrait miniatures.
The support’s fragility suggests careful handling, and the composition’s focus on facial expression conveys a quiet realism within the genre.
History & Provenance
Miss Annis is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is displayed in the American Wing’s Harry Fromke gallery. It is classified as a portrait miniature within the American Wing's holdings. The work, a watercolor on ivory dating to 1800, is recorded in the museum’s collection but no specific accession number is listed in the available documentation. It has not been identified as having been included in any documented exhibitions in the sources consulted.
Overview
Miss Annis is a watercolor portrait by Lawrence Sully, created around 1800. This miniature work depicts a young girl, rendered with delicate brushwork on a thin ivory support. Its small scale and intimate nature were characteristic of such portraits during the period, often serving as personal keepsakes.
Context
Miniature portraits like "Miss Annis" served a personal and portable function, akin to modern photographs. Their small size made them ideal for carrying or displaying in intimate settings, allowing individuals to keep images of loved ones close. These hand-painted likenesses were cherished objects, reflecting social customs of remembrance and personal connection around 1800.
Artist & collection
