Clarissa Storrs

The work titled Clarissa Storrs was painted in 1795 by William Verstille as a watercolor on ivory portrait. It portrays Clarissa Storrs and belongs to the portrait genre within the American Wing classification. The piece entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view in New York.

Its creation is documented with an inception date of 1795, and physical measurements of 5.7 by 4.3 units correspond to the dimensions recorded for the work. The painting’s provenance traces from its original execution to its acquisition by the museum, establishing a clear ownership chain from the artist to the institution.

Clarissa Storrs, a 1795 watercolor on ivory by William Verstille, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under The American Wing. The work is catalogued within the museum's holdings of portrait miniatures, consistent with its small dimensions of approximately 5.7 by 4.3 inches. No specific accession number, acquisition date, or prior provenance details are documented in the available sources.

Likewise, no exhibition history is recorded for the work beyond its current placement in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing collection.

The 1795 watercolor portrait by William Verstille, originally catalogued as Clarissa Storrs, entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and is now part of The American Wing, a placement that reflects its recognized significance within early American portraiture. Its modest dimensions of roughly 5.7 by 4.3 inches and depiction of a woman have been noted in museum documentation, underscoring its role as an example of late‑18th‑century American artistic practice. The work’s presence in a major institutional collection has contributed to ongoing scholarly discussion of Verstille’s output and the development of portraiture in the United States.

William Verstille's watercolor on ivory, Clarissa Storrs, from around 1795, exemplifies American portraiture of the late 18th century. This miniature work, depicting a woman with a direct gaze, reflects the era's appreciation for capturing individual likenesses. It stands as a characteristic example of Verstille's output, whose works are found in prominent institutional collections and contribute to the American folk art tradition.

Created by William Verstille, a portrait artist active across major East Coast cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and New York, this piece fits within the broader tradition of American folk art. Its focus on a specific individual's likeness was a common characteristic of the period. The work is representative of Verstille's artistic practice, which is well-documented in significant institutional holdings.