Artwork
Portrait of Sarah Larrabee Edes
Portrait of Sarah Larrabee Edes is an oil painting by Joseph Badger. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Joseph Badger’s 1760 oil portrait presents Sarah Larrabee Edes seated before a muted backdrop. She wears a dark blue gown trimmed in white, its low neckline and long sleeves ending in flared cuffs. In her right hand, resting on her lap, she holds an unidentified object, while her hair is gathered back and her expression remains composed and direct.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified as Sarah Larrabee Edes, is depicted with a sober demeanor typical of mid‑18th‑century colonial portraiture, emphasizing personal virtue and social standing. The restrained pose and plain interior suggest a focus on the individual’s character rather than decorative excess, aligning with contemporary ideals of modesty and propriety.
Technique & Style
Badger employs a limited palette of deep blues, whites, and earth tones, allowing the figure to emerge from the dark wall with subtle modeling. The oil medium provides a smooth, refined surface, while the delicate rendering of fabric folds and the faint suggestion of foliage on the left add depth without distracting from the sitter.
History & Provenance
Created in 1760, the portrait entered the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its provenance traces back to the Edes family, whose records confirm the identification of the subject and the work’s attribution to Badger, a noted portraitist of colonial New England.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Badger was born on March 14, 1707/8, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, the son of Stephen Badger, a tailor, and Mercy Kettell.
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