John Smibert, Portrait of a Woman (Judith Colman Bulfinch?)
Hurlbut Collection, 1920.3919 · The Cleveland Museum of Art, Open Access (CC0)View original →
John Smibert

Portrait of a Woman (Judith Colman Bulfinch?)

c. 1734

Current Collection

Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
75.6 × 62.2 cm
Status
In Museum Collection
Collect24 Art ID
C24-110790

The appearance of a professionally trained British painter in the American colonies in 1729 marks a curcial point in the history of American art. Smibert not only imported the skills necessary to convey the impression of substantial, rounded forms in a picture, but his commercial success also inspired others to contemplate careers as painters. Born in Edinburgh and schooled in London and Italy, Smibert attracted numerous clients upon his arrival in Boston. The low bodice, long neck, and sinuous curl of hair in this portrait follow British conventions for depicting women. Research continues as…

Provenance

Hurlbut Collection, 1920.3919

Registry history

  • c. 1734 — Recorded in the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

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Auction history

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