Who painted Mrs. Isaac Green (Ann Barrett)?

Mrs. Isaac Green (Ann Barrett) was painted by Joseph Greenleaf Cole in 1832.

Where can I see Mrs. Isaac Green (Ann Barrett)?

Mrs. Isaac Green (Ann Barrett) is held by Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

What movement is Mrs. Isaac Green (Ann Barrett)?

Mrs. Isaac Green (Ann Barrett) is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Mrs. Isaac Green (Ann Barrett)

Joseph Greenleaf Cole , 1832

Mrs. Isaac Green (Ann Barrett) is an oil painting by the Realist artist Joseph Greenleaf Cole. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

About this work

If you're interested in learning more about this style of painting, you might want to look into the work of artist Joseph Greenleaf Cole.

This painting is a portrait of a woman, likely from the 19th century. She is dressed in dark attire with a lace bonnet and a bow around her neck. The background is a solid color, which helps to focus attention on the subject.

The woman's expression is serious, and her clothing suggests that she may have been a member of the upper class. The artist has used oil paint to create a realistic and detailed image of the woman.

If you're interested in learning more about this style of painting, you might want to look into the work of artist Joseph Greenleaf Cole.

Overview

Joseph Greenleaf Cole’s portrait, titled Mrs. Isaac Green (Ann Barrett), was executed in oil in 1832. The work depicts a seated woman in a dark dress, a lace bonnet, and a modest bow at her throat, set against a uniform background that isolates the figure. The painting resides in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, identified as Ann Barrett, the wife of Isaac Green, is presented with a composed, serious expression. Her attire—dark fabrics, a lace cap, and a simple bow—signals respectable social standing typical of early‑19th‑century American gentility, emphasizing decorum and modesty rather than overt display.

Technique & Style

Cole employed oil pigments to render the portrait with careful attention to texture and light. The smooth modeling of the face and the subtle rendering of the lace bonnet demonstrate a realistic approach, while the flat, unadorned backdrop reflects the period’s preference for focusing on the sitter’s likeness without decorative distraction.

History & Provenance

Created in 1832, the painting entered the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, as part of its early American holdings. Documentation traces its ownership to the Green family before its acquisition by the museum, where it has been displayed as an example of regional portraiture from the antebellum era.