Artwork
Mrs. Gideon Tucker
Mrs. Gideon Tucker is an oil painting by the Hudson River School artist William Sidney Mount. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The work exemplifies early 19th-century American portraiture through its conventional genre treatment of a female sitter.
Painted in 1830, Mrs. Gideon Tucker is an oil on canvas portrait measuring 86.7 × 68.6 cm. The work exemplifies early 19th-century American portraiture through its conventional genre treatment of a female sitter. As an product of William Sidney Mount's early career, before he turned primarily to genre scenes, the painting demonstrates the artist's foundational training in academic portraiture. The oil paint on canvas support was standard for American painting of this period, allowing for the smooth finish and detailed rendering characteristic of formal portraiture. The work is held in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
Created in 1830, the oil-on-canvas portrait titled Mrs. Gideon Tucker was executed by the American artist William Sidney Mount. The work depicts a woman and is classified within the genre of portraiture. Currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the painting resides in the American Wing.
While the specific commission details and the chain of ownership prior to its acquisition by the museum are not detailed in the available records, the work's creation is firmly dated to the year 1830. The physical dimensions of the canvas measure 86.7 cm in height and 68.6 cm in width. The piece remains a significant example of Mount's early portraiture within the institution's holdings.
Mrs. Gideon Tucker (1830) by William Sidney Mount is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under The American Wing. Painted in oil on canvas, the portrait measures 86.7 cm in height by 68.6 cm in width. The work is documented in the museum's records as part of its holdings of American paintings from the early nineteenth century. No specific inventory or accession number, nor any exhibition history entries, are provided in the available sources.
Overview
William Sidney Mount painted Mrs. Gideon Tucker in 1830, an oil on canvas portrait that exemplifies his early work. Mount, a prominent 19th-century American artist, often depicted individuals and scenes from daily life on Long Island. This piece offers a direct gaze into the period, showcasing his skill in capturing personal likenesses before he became widely known for his genre scenes. It is housed in the American Wing, representing a facet of early American portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
This portrait presents Mrs. Gideon Tucker seated, her direct gaze engaging the viewer. She is depicted in period attire, including a hat, with meticulous attention given to the fabric and facial features. The painting serves as a record of a specific individual from 19th-century Long Island, aligning with Mount's interest in documenting local customs and the people of his community, thereby offering insight into everyday American life of the era.
Context
William Sidney Mount's artistic practice was deeply rooted in his native Long Island, particularly Setauket and Stony Brook, where he found inspiration in local figures and daily routines. While he later gained renown for his narrative genre scenes, his early career included significant portrait commissions like this one. Mount's engagement with his community extended beyond art; he also maintained a lifelong passion for music, often playing the fiddle, which further connected him to the cultural fabric he depicted.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Sidney Mount (November 26, 1807 – November 19, 1868) was a 19th-century American genre painter.
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