Artwork
Ellen Vanderpoel McCoy
Ellen Vanderpoel McCoy is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist John Wesley Jarvis. It dates from 1813 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Jarvis painted this in 1813, when most American portraits showed people stiff and formal.
A woman in a dark dress sits sideways, her face turned toward us. Her hair is pulled back, and her hands rest on a red chair. The background is plain, almost black.
Jarvis painted this in 1813, when most American portraits showed people stiff and formal. Here, the woman looks relaxed, like she just paused in conversation. The red chair is the only bright spot—it makes her stand out.
If you like how light and shadow play here, look up chiaroscuro.
Overview
John Wesley Jarvis completed this oil on panel portrait of Ellen Vanderpoel McCoy around 1813. The painting captures a woman in a relaxed, informal pose, a departure from the more rigid conventions of American portraiture at the time. This work is part of The American Wing collection, offering insight into early 19th-century artistic trends and individual representation.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Ellen Vanderpoel McCoy, seated with her body turned slightly while her gaze meets the viewer directly. Her hair is styled simply, pulled back, and her hands rest gently on a vibrant red chair. This posture suggests a momentary pause in conversation, conveying a sense of ease and approachability that distinguishes it from the stiff formality often seen in contemporary portraits.
Technique & Style
Jarvis employs a direct yet nuanced approach to portraiture in this work. The background is kept plain and dark, almost black, which serves to emphasize the figure. The striking red chair acts as a singular bright accent, drawing attention to the sitter and providing a visual anchor within the composition. This interplay of light and shadow, along with the vivid color, highlights McCoy's presence against a subdued setting.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Wesley Jarvis (1781–1839) was an American artist, born in South Shields.
