Collections record Beta

Watercolor - Sarah Pierce

2012-62-1

Watercolor on paper portrait of Sarah Pierce. Waist length seated pose facing slightly to right. Subject is seated in a straight back chair draped with what appears to be a black and red blanket or shawl with a floral edging. The sitter is clothed in a black dress of stiff fabric with a stand-up collar and tight sleeves that are gathered to a bow on the upper arm. Neckline of dress is set off by a starched white ruffle which frames the chin of the subject. the sitter's dark hair is arranged in ringlets around the face, and topped by a white cap with a ruffle around the face and a high puffed crown. Subject has a long nose and firm mouth and the eyebrows are slightly raised. The eyes are a vivid blue. Artist's board is glued to a second backing. Handwritten on the reverse of the backing is, "Aunt Sally Pierce/ was not thought a good likeness." The unsigned portrait is executed after a portrait miniature attributed to George Catlin (1941-02-2) that is in the collection of the Litchfield Historical Society.

This item was owned for many years by members of the Loring family. Sarah Pierce's niece, Anna Brace Loring, was married to Charles Greeley Loring in 1816. This portrait likely passed from Sarah or Mary Pierce to Jane Loring Gray.

Height 4.5"; Width 4.125"

• board
• watercolor
• pencil
• paper