Artwork
Mrs. Thomas Sully (Sarah Annis)
Mrs. Thomas Sully (Sarah Annis) is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Thomas Sully. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
As a miniature, the piece relies on the luminous quality of the ivory beneath the translucent watercolor layers to achieve skin tones and depth.
Executed in 1802, this portrait of Sarah Annis Sully utilizes watercolor applied to an ivory support. The work is characterized by its diminutive scale, measuring approximately 4.8 centimeters in both height and width, which necessitates a delicate and precise handling of the medium. As a miniature, the piece relies on the luminous quality of the ivory beneath the translucent watercolor layers to achieve skin tones and depth.
The composition focuses strictly on the likeness of the sitter, adhering to the conventions of early nineteenth-century portraiture where such intimate formats were prized for personal display. The classification of the object within major institutional collections highlights its status as a significant example of American miniature painting from this period.
History & Provenance
Mrs. Thomas Sully (Sarah Annis), a 1802 watercolor on ivory by Thomas Sully, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under The American Wing. The portrait, depicting Sarah Sully, measures approximately 4.8 inches in height and width. No specific accession number, acquisition details, or documented exhibition history are recorded in the available sources.
Overview
This watercolor portrait, created around 1802 by Thomas Sully, depicts his wife, Sarah Annis, known as Mrs. Thomas Sully. Rendered on a small piece of ivory, the work captures a gentle likeness of the sitter. It is a notable example of early American portraiture and is housed within The American Wing collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents Sarah Annis with a serene expression, dressed in a white gown and a hat. As the artist's wife, her portrayal offers a personal glimpse into Sully's early career and his immediate family. The intimate scale of the portrait further emphasizes the personal connection between the artist and his subject, common in such miniatures.
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…
