Artwork
Portrait of Lois Belding Ketcham
Portrait of Lois Belding Ketcham is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist Ammi Phillips. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of Lois Belding Ketcham is an 1825 oil painting by Ammi Phillips, an American itinerant portraitist. The work exemplifies the American folk art tradition through its direct and unadorned style.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Lois Belding Ketcham in a characteristic attire of her time - a white bonnet and black dress - while holding a book and wearing glasses. These elements suggest her possible affiliation with the upper class or scholarly pursuits.
Technique & Style
Phillips employed chiaroscuro, leveraging strong light and dark contrasts to imbue the composition with depth. The dark green background further enhances the subject's prominence, set against a somber tone.
History & Provenance
Created in 1825, the painting is now part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's collection, reflecting its significance within American folk art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Ammi Phillips (April 24, 1788 – July 11, 1865) was a prolific American itinerant portrait painter active from the mid 1810s to the early 1860s in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.
