Artwork
Mrs. George Clinton (Cornelia Tappen)
Mrs. George Clinton (Cornelia Tappen) is a gouache drawing by the Romanticist artist Thomas Bluget De Valdenuit|Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. It dates from 1797 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created in 1797, this portrait depicts Cornelia Tappen, later Mrs.
About this work
Overview
This portrait, created around 1797, is a drawing of Cornelia Tappen Clinton, wife of George Clinton. It is executed in Conté crayon, charcoal, and white chalk on specially prepared paper.
Technique & Style
The drawing was made using a physiognotrace, a mechanical device that traced the subject's profile, allowing for quick and accurate likenesses. The artist then added details by hand, resulting in a precise and delicate representation.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Cornelia Tappen Clinton, is depicted in profile, wearing a high-necked dress. The drawing captures the gentle curve of her cheek and nose, conveying a sense of serenity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Thomas Bluget De Valdenuit|Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin
These American artists made lifelike crayon and chalk portraits of early U.S. leaders around 1797. Their paper portraits of Governor George Clinton and Mrs. George Clinton (Cornelia Tappen) show sharp, calm faces with…
