Artwork
Mrs. William Coffin (Ann Holmes)
Mrs. William Coffin (Ann Holmes) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist John Singleton Copley. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
This portrait painting depicts a woman in a formal dress, with a white ruffled collar and cuffs, and a dark blue bodice adorned with a large bow.
This portrait painting depicts a woman in a formal dress, with a white ruffled collar and cuffs, and a dark blue bodice adorned with a large bow. Her dark hair is pulled back, and she wears a white cap with a small bow on top. The background of the painting is a solid black.
The woman's attire and hairstyle suggest a formal setting, possibly from the 18th century. The level of detail in the painting, particularly in the folds of the fabric and the texture of the woman's skin, indicates a high level of skill on the part of the artist.
To learn more about the artist behind this painting, explore the works of John Singleton Copley.
Overview
John Singleton Copley’s 1770 oil portrait presents Ann Holmes, the wife of William Coffin, in a formal pose against a stark black backdrop. The composition features a dark blue bodice with a prominent bow, white ruffled collar and cuffs, and a modest white cap. The work exemplifies Copley’s early colonial portraiture, rendered before his move to London in the mid‑1770s.
Subject & Meaning
Ann Holmes is shown with her dark hair neatly pulled back, emphasizing the refined attire of an 18th‑century gentlewoman. The plain black background focuses attention on her dress and facial expression, suggesting both personal dignity and the social status of the Coffin family within the colonial elite. The portrait functions as a visual record of marital identity and family prominence.
Technique & Style
Copley employs meticulous brushwork to capture the texture of silk and the subtle modeling of skin. The delicate rendering of fabric folds, the crispness of the white collar, and the subtle chiaroscuro on the face demonstrate his command of oil medium. The portrait’s restrained palette and attention to detail align with the Rococo sensibility prevalent in colonial America, yet retain a sober realism.
History & Provenance
Born in Boston to Anglo‑Irish parents, Copley built his reputation as a portraitist of New England’s upper class before relocating to London in 1774. This painting, created during his American period, remained in the Coffin family collection for generations before entering the museum’s holdings. Its provenance traces the lineage of the Coffin household, reflecting the trans‑Atlantic connections of colonial patrons.
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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.
