Artwork
Mrs. Perez Morton (Sarah Wentworth Apthorp)
Mrs. Perez Morton (Sarah Wentworth Apthorp) is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Gilbert Stuart. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. This 1802 oil painting, Mrs.
About this work
Overview
This 1802 oil painting, Mrs. Perez Morton (Sarah Wentworth Apthorp), is a portrait by American artist Gilbert Stuart. It is part of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Sarah Wentworth Apthorp Morton, dressed in a black gown with a high neckline and puffed sleeves, seated with her arm resting on a dark red chair. The plain background emphasizes her face and hands.
Technique & Style
Stuart employed soft lighting to accentuate the subject's features, creating a smooth complexion. The contrast between her face and the dark surroundings is achieved through the use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gilbert Stuart (né Stewart; December 3, 1755 – July 9, 1828) was an American painter born in the Rhode Island Colony who is widely considered one of America's foremost portraitists.
