Artwork
Mrs. Christopher Grant Perry (Frances Sargeant)
Mrs. Christopher Grant Perry (Frances Sargeant) is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Richard Morrell Staigg. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Christopher Grant Perry (Frances Sargeant), was created in 1840 by Richard Morrell Staigg as a watercolor on ivory support.
The artwork, titled Mrs. Christopher Grant Perry (Frances Sargeant), was created in 1840 by Richard Morrell Staigg as a watercolor on ivory support. It measures approximately 8.9 inches in height by 7 inches in width and is classified within the portrait genre, depicting a woman. The piece is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s The American Wing collection.
Formal qualities include a restrained palette and delicate washes that characterize mid‑nineteenth‑century American portraiture, while the composition presents a three‑quarter view of the sitter typical of the period.
History & Provenance
Commissioned and executed in 1840, this watercolor on ivory depicts Frances Sargeant, known as Mrs. Christopher Grant Perry. The work was created by the artist Richard Morrell Staigg, who specialized in portrait miniatures during this period. Classified as a portrait within the genre of American art, the piece measures approximately 8.9 by 7 units.
The artwork currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, specifically housed within its American Wing. While the specific circumstances of the original commission or intermediate ownership transfers are not detailed in the available records, the work's inception is firmly dated to 1840, marking it as a mid-19th-century creation that has been preserved within a major institutional holding.
Overview
Richard Morrell Staigg, an artist who emigrated from England as a child, painted this watercolor portrait of Frances Sargeant, Mrs. Christopher Grant Perry, around 1840. Rendered on ivory, the miniature captures the sitter with a quiet dignity characteristic of American folk art from the early 19th century. Staigg established his practice in Boston, where he became known for such intimate works.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents Frances Sargeant seated, her posture slightly turned, with hands gently clasped in her lap. A dark dress contrasts with the delicate lace at her collar, subtly illuminated by soft light that highlights her features. The plain background ensures the viewer's focus remains entirely on the sitter, emphasizing her presence and composure.
Context
Richard Morrell Staigg, born in England, settled in the United States during his youth and later became a recognized portraitist in Boston. His work, including this depiction of Frances Sargeant, aligns with the American folk art tradition prevalent in the mid-19th century. This style often prioritized directness and a certain unadorned sincerity in its portrayal of individuals.
Artist & collection
Artist
Richard Morrell Staigg (7 September 1817 Leeds, England - 11 October 1881 Newport, Rhode Island) or R.M. Staigg was a portrait painter in Boston, Massachusetts, in the 19th century.
