Artwork
Portrait of Mrs. Samuel McCall, Sr. (Anne McCall, 1720–1785)
Portrait of Mrs. Samuel McCall, Sr. (Anne McCall, 1720–1785) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Robert Feke. It dates from 1746 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
About this work
Overview
Robert Feke’s 1746 oil portrait presents Anne McCall, a mid‑eighteenth‑century New England woman, in a poised stance before a rich red drapery. The composition balances a sumptuous blue gown with white ruffles, a gold‑trimmed belt, and a delicate flower she holds, while her dark hair is neatly gathered. The work resides in the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Anne McCall (1720–1785), is rendered with a direct gaze that engages the viewer, suggesting both personal confidence and the social standing of a married woman of her era. The inclusion of a flower and the luxurious attire convey notions of femininity, refinement, and the domestic virtues prized among colonial elites.
Technique & Style
Feke employs a refined handling of oil paint, using subtle gradations of light and shadow to model the figure’s form, a practice reminiscent of chiaroscuro. The textured brushwork captures the sheen of silk, the softness of lace, and the plushness of the curtain, while the Rococo influence appears in the lightness of color and decorative details.
History & Provenance
Born circa 1705 in Oyster Bay, New York, Robert Feke emerged as a leading portraitist who helped raise the artistic standards of colonial America. After its creation, the portrait entered private collections before being acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where it remains part of the institution’s American art holdings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Robert Feke (c. 1705 – c. 1752) was an American portrait painter born in Oyster Bay, New York. According to art historian Richard Saunders, "Feke's impact on the development of Colonial painting was substantial, and his…
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