Artwork
The Coleman Sisters
The Coleman Sisters is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Thomas Sully. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
, and Cornwall, Pennsylvania, and then to Buckingham's nephew, William Coleman Freeman (1881–1955), also of Cornwall, Pennsylvania.
Thomas Sully painted The Coleman Sisters in 1844. The portrait depicts Margaret Coleman Freeman (1820–1894) and her sister, and remained in the family for several generations. Ownership passed from Margaret Coleman Freeman to her daughter, Margaret Freeman Buckingham (1857–1946) of Washington, D.C., and Cornwall, Pennsylvania, and then to Buckingham's nephew, William Coleman Freeman (1881–1955), also of Cornwall, Pennsylvania.
In 1947 Freeman gave the painting to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., where it remains; it is inventoried as accession number 1947.9.1.
Overview
Thomas Sully's 1844 oil painting, The Coleman Sisters, presents a double portrait of two young girls. Rendered in oil on canvas, the work captures the sitters in a moment of apparent contentment, highlighting their presence against a subdued backdrop. This piece exemplifies Sully's approach to portraiture during the mid-19th century, focusing on the individual character of his subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the two sisters, depicted seated and adorned in refined attire. Their expressions convey a sense of happiness, drawing the viewer's attention directly to their youthful visages. The artist deliberately kept the background understated, ensuring that the figures themselves remain the primary focus of the portrait and emphasizing their individual personalities.
Technique & Style
Sully's artistic method is evident in the meticulous rendering of the girls' garments and hairstyles, showcasing a keen eye for detail. The handling of light is particularly notable, illuminating their faces and contributing to the painting's overall depth. This deliberate use of light and shadow aligns with principles often associated with chiaroscuro, enhancing the figures' three-dimensionality and emotional resonance.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Thomas Sully was an English-American portrait painter. He was born in England, became a naturalized American citizen in 1809, and lived most of his life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, including in the Thomas Sully…
Portrait of Three Sisters from the Hausner Family
Portrait of the Misses Mary and Emily McEuen
Portret van een vrouw met haar twee kinderen
Portret van Théodore-Joseph Jonet en zijn twee dochters
Portrait of Anna von Minarelli-Fitzgerald
The Barrio Family
Group portrait of mother & two daughters
Adrian Baucker Holmes Children