Artwork
Despair
Despair is an unspecified painting by Samuel Lovett Waldo. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
Samuel Lovett Waldo’s 1820 oil painting titled Despair portrays a solitary female figure seated on a stone amid a dimly lit landscape. The composition centers on her contemplative pose, emphasizing an atmosphere of melancholy that aligns with the work’s title. The piece is part of the permanent collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, dressed in a white gown, rests her right hand on her chin while her left hand clutches a red cloth draped across her lap. Her head is tilted back, and her expression conveys deep sorrow, suggesting an inner turmoil that the artist renders through gesture and facial nuance.
Technique & Style
Waldo employs a restrained palette of dark tones for the background, allowing the luminous white dress and the vivid red fabric to stand out. The chiaroscuro treatment creates a stark contrast between light and shadow, while the loose brushwork in the foliage hints at a Romantic sensibility prevalent in early‑19th‑century American portraiture.
History & Provenance
Created in 1820, Despair entered the Detroit Institute of Arts’ holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, reflecting the museum’s interest in early American genre painting. The work remains a representative example of Waldo’s output during his mature period.
Artist & collection
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