Artwork
Mrs. Daniel Hubbard (Mary Greene)
Mrs. Daniel Hubbard (Mary Greene) is an oil painting by John Singleton Copley. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
John Singleton Copley’s 1764 oil portrait presents Mary Greene Hubbard, the spouse of Boston merchant Daniel Hubbard. The sitter is shown seated at a table, her right arm resting lightly on the surface, dressed in a brown gown trimmed with white lace and a matching lace choker. The composition is set against a dark, muted backdrop that emphasizes the figure’s refined bearing.
Subject & Meaning
Mary Greene Hubbard, born into an Anglo‑Irish family in Boston in 1738, is rendered with a calm, restrained expression that conveys the genteel modesty expected of a colonial wife. The careful rendering of her attire and posture reflects both her social standing and the period’s ideals of feminine virtue and domestic poise.
Technique & Style
Copley employs chiaroscuro, contrasting the illuminated, light‑toned clothing with the deep, shadowed background to model form and create spatial depth. The brushwork is precise, especially in the lace detailing and the texture of the fabric, while the subtle gradations of tone give the portrait a three‑dimensional presence characteristic of Copley’s early American oeuvre.
History & Provenance
Created while Copley was active in New England, the portrait remained within the Hubbard family before entering public collections in the 20th century. Copley, who achieved prominence among Boston’s elite before moving to London in 1774, produced this work during the height of his colonial career, exemplifying his reputation as a leading portraitist of the period.
Own this work as a print
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.
