Who painted Portrait of Rebecca Boylston?

Portrait of Rebecca Boylston was painted by John Singleton Copley in 1767.

Where can I see Portrait of Rebecca Boylston?

Portrait of Rebecca Boylston is held by Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

What movement is Portrait of Rebecca Boylston?

Portrait of Rebecca Boylston is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Portrait of Rebecca Boylston

John Singleton Copley , 1767

Portrait of Rebecca Boylston is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist John Singleton Copley. It dates from 1767 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of Rebecca Boylston is a 1767 oil painting by John Singleton Copley, depicting a woman of prominence in a Rococo-style setting, characterized by a lavish dress, floral arrangement, and outdoor backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Rebecca Boylston, is portrayed as a figure of wealth and importance, conveyed through her elaborate white and red attire with lace trim, a small headpiece, and the symbolic presence of a diverse bouquet of flowers in her lap.

Technique & Style

Copley employed the Rococo style, evident in the painting's attention to detail, use of vibrant colors (notably in the flowers and dress), and the juxtaposition of a dark background with the subject's luminous, intricately rendered clothing.

History & Provenance

Created in 1767 during Copley's American period, the portrait is now part of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston's collection, reflecting the artist's reputation among the colonial New England elite before his move to London in 1774.

Context

The painting was commissioned to display the subject's status, aligning with Copley's role as a preferred portraitist for the wealthy in colonial New England, capturing the aesthetic and social values of the time.