Who painted Cornelia M. Walter (Mrs. William B. Richards)?

Cornelia M. Walter (Mrs. William B. Richards) was painted by Thomas Ball in 1850.

Where can I see Cornelia M. Walter (Mrs. William B. Richards)?

Cornelia M. Walter (Mrs. William B. Richards) is held by Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

What movement is Cornelia M. Walter (Mrs. William B. Richards)?

Cornelia M. Walter (Mrs. William B. Richards) is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Cornelia M. Walter (Mrs. William B. Richards)

Thomas Ball , 1850

Cornelia M. Walter (Mrs. William B. Richards) is an oil painting by the Realist artist Thomas Ball. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

About this work

If you're interested in learning more about the artist who created this portrait, you might want to look up Thomas Ball.

This portrait depicts a woman sitting in a red chair, wearing a blue dress with white lace trim. She holds a fan in her right hand and has a gold bracelet on her left wrist. The background is dark, with a subtle pattern visible behind her.

The woman's attire and the style of the painting suggest it was created in the mid-19th century. The artist has used chiaroscuro to create depth and contrast in the image.

If you're interested in learning more about the artist who created this portrait, you might want to look up Thomas Ball.

Overview

Thomas Ball’s oil portrait of Cornelia M. Walter, created circa 1850, is part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s collection. The work presents the sitter seated in a red chair, dressed in a blue gown trimmed with white lace, and holding a fan. A dark, subtly patterned backdrop and the use of chiaroscuro give the image a three‑dimensional presence.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays Cornelia M. Walter, who at the time was married to William B. Richards. Her composed pose, the delicate fan, and the gold bracelet on her wrist convey the genteel domesticity and modest affluence typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century American women of her social standing.

Technique & Style

Ball employs a realist approach, emphasizing accurate detail in the fabric, lace, and jewelry. Strong contrasts between light and shadow—chiaroscuro—model the figure and create depth against the muted background, while the restrained palette reflects the period’s aesthetic preferences.

History & Provenance

Although primarily known as a sculptor and musician, Ball produced this portrait during his early career in New England. The work entered the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it remains on view, documenting both the artist’s versatility and the portraiture conventions of the era.

Artist & collection

Artist

Thomas Ball

Thomas Ball (June 3, 1819 – December 11, 1911) was an American sculptor and musician. His work has had a marked influence on monumental art in the United States, especially in New England.