Artwork
Anna Dummer Powell
Anna Dummer Powell is an unspecified painting by the American Impressionist artist John Singleton Copley. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The portrait depicts Anna Dummer Powell, an octogenarian, seated in a vibrant red chair, dressed in a black gown and a white cap. Her hands are gently folded, and her expression is composed. The work was completed just two months before her death at the age of eighty, serving as a familial memorial.
Subject & Meaning
Powell is described by her descendants as a modest woman of firm conviction and deep Presbyterian faith. The painting captures her dignified demeanor, reflecting both personal piety and the values of her generation, while also functioning as a tangible tribute intended to preserve her memory for future relatives.
Technique & Style
Rendered in a realistic manner, the portrait emphasizes subtle tonal contrasts between the dark attire and the bright red chair, highlighting the sitter’s presence. The composition centers the figure, with a calm facial expression and folded hands conveying restraint and inner steadiness, characteristic of late‑19th‑century American portraiture.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by Powell’s son shortly before her passing, the painting remained within the family, passing through successive female heirs. It stayed in private hands for several generations before being transferred to the museum, where it now serves as a historical record of the family’s lineage.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Singleton Copley (July 3, 1738 – September 9, 1815) was an American-born British painter active in both the Thirteen Colonies and England.
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Anna Dummer Powell