Artwork
Catherine Yates Pollock (Mrs. George Pollock)
Catherine Yates Pollock (Mrs. George Pollock) is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Gilbert Stuart. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
Following the sitter's death, the work descended through her son, Carlile Pollock (1791–1845), to his daughter, Marie Louise Pollock Chiapella (1828–1902).
Painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1793, this oil-on-canvas portrait depicts Catherine Yates Pollock. Following the sitter's death, the work descended through her son, Carlile Pollock (1791–1845), to his daughter, Marie Louise Pollock Chiapella (1828–1902). It likely passed to her son, Henry Chiapella, and subsequently to her niece, Louise Chiapella Formento, in New Orleans.
Between 1915 and 1917, Isaac Monroe Cline acquired the painting, owning it by December 1917. Thomas B. Clarke purchased the portrait on January 16, 1918, retaining it until his estate sold it at auction on January 29, 1936, through M. Knoedler & Co. to the A.W. Mellon Education and Charitable Trust in Pittsburgh. The National Gallery of Art received the work as a gift from the trust in 1942.
Catherine Yates Pollock (Mrs. George Pollock) is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., specifically within the Andrew W. Mellon collection. The work carries the accession number 1942.8.29, having been gifted to the museum in 1942 by The A.W. Mellon Education and Charitable Trust, Pittsburgh, following its acquisition from the estate of Thomas B. Clarke. Clarke purchased the portrait on January 16, 1918, after it was previously owned by Isaac Monroe Cline of New Orleans, who had acquired it between 1915 and 1917.
Prior to Cline's ownership, the painting descended through the sitter's family, including her son Carlile Pollock and granddaughter Marie Louise Pollock Chiapella. The work was exhibited in the 1936 sale of the Clarke collection, cataloged by M. Knoedler & Co. in New York, and referenced in an exhibition catalog for the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Context
The 1793 portrait of Catherine Yates by Gilbert Stuart exemplifies early American portraiture and is central to scholarship on Stuart’s Yates family series; its inclusion in the Thomas B. Clarke collection and subsequent donation to the National Gallery of Art underscores its recognized historical value. The work’s provenance, from the Pollock family through Carlile Pollock, Marie Louise Chiapella, Isaac M. Cline, and finally Clarke, highlights its transmission among prominent collectors, reflecting its esteemed status in art historical narratives of the period. Its formal dimensions and oil on canvas technique are documented in catalogues, positioning it as a key reference point for studies of portraiture in the early Republic.
Overview
Gilbert Stuart's 1794 oil on canvas depicts Catherine Yates Pollock. This portrait captures the likeness of the sitter, presenting her in a formal yet direct manner. The artwork exemplifies Stuart's approach to portraiture during the late 18th century, focusing on the individual's presence and character through a carefully composed image.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features Catherine Yates Pollock seated, her gaze directed outward with a composed and tranquil expression. She is adorned in a dress and hat, elements rendered with attention to detail. Stuart's portrayal emphasizes her quiet dignity and presence, inviting the viewer to engage directly with her serene countenance, characteristic of formal portraiture of the era.
Technique & Style
Stuart employed oil on canvas to create this portrait, demonstrating his proficiency in rendering textures and form. The meticulous depiction of Mrs. Pollock's attire, including her dress and hat, showcases the artist's skill in capturing material details. The careful use of light and shadow to model features and create depth is a hallmark of portraiture from this period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Gilbert Stuart (né Stewart; December 3, 1755 – July 9, 1828) was an American painter born in the Rhode Island Colony who is widely considered one of America's foremost portraitists.
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