What movement is Portrait of Mrs. John Earnest Poyas (Catherine Smith, 1769–1836)?

Portrait of Mrs. John Earnest Poyas (Catherine Smith, 1769–1836) is associated with American Folk Art.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Mrs. John Earnest Poyas (Catherine Smith, 1769–1836)?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Mrs. John Earnest Poyas (Catherine Smith, 1769–1836) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Mrs. John Earnest Poyas (Catherine Smith, 1769–1836)

Samuel F. B. Morse

Portrait of Mrs. John Earnest Poyas (Catherine Smith, 1769–1836) is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist Samuel F. B. Morse. It is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

About this work

The woman's attire and the style of the painting suggest a formal portrait from the early 19th century.

The painting depicts a woman in a black dress with a white ruffled collar and a white bonnet. She is seated, with her right hand resting on her lap, and her left hand holding a small white object. The background of the painting is a warm, earthy tone.

The woman's attire and the style of the painting suggest a formal portrait from the early 19th century. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and dimensionality in the painting.

To learn more about the artist's work, look up Samuel Finley Breese Morse.

Overview

This oil painting is a portrait of Catherine Smith Poyas, created by Samuel Finley Breese Morse during his early career as a portrait artist.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Catherine Smith Poyas, is depicted seated in a black dress with a white ruffled collar and bonnet, holding a small white object. Her formal attire suggests a representation of her social status.

Technique & Style

Morse's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and dimensionality. The painting's straightforward and individualized likeness is characteristic of American folk art from the period.

History & Provenance

Painted by Morse, who later became known for his contributions to telegraphy and Morse code, the portrait is now held by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

Samuel F. B. Morse

Samuel Finley Breese Morse was born on April 27, 1791, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, the eldest child of Reverend Jedidiah Morse, a Congregationalist pastor and author of early American geography textbooks, and Elizabeth Ann Breese Morse.