Old Woman in Grey

Betsy Flagg Melcher, Old Woman in Grey, 1931, watercolor on ivory, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the American Society of Miniature Painters, 1965.30.16
Betsy Flagg Melcher, Old Woman in Grey, 1931, watercolor on ivory, sight 4 3⁄8 x 3 in. (11.1 x 7.6 cm) rectangle, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the American Society of Miniature Painters, 1965.30.16

Artwork Details

Title
Old Woman in Grey
Artist
Date
1931
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sight 4 3⁄8 x 3 in. (11.1 x 7.6 cm) rectangle
Credit Line
Gift of the American Society of Miniature Painters
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor on ivory
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait female — unidentified — waist length
  • Portrait female — unidentified — elderly
Object Number
1965.30.16
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1965.30.16

Artwork Description

This miniature shows a lady dressed from head to toe in a gray gown and bonnet, a style more appropriate to the late 1800s than the 1930s. The grays bring out the shadows in her aging but still beautiful face, while the soberness of her dress emphasizes the strength of character evident in her gaze.

Works by this artist (24 items)

View all artworks
Thomas Wilmer Dewing, Lady in White (No. 2), ca. 1910, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly, 1929.6.30
Lady in White (No. 2)
Artist
Dateca. 1910
oil on canvas
On view
Thomas Wilmer Dewing, The Spinet, ca. 1902, oil on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly, 1929.6.41
The Spinet
Artist
Dateca. 1902
oil on wood
On view
Thomas Wilmer Dewing, The Necklace, ca. 1907, oil on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly, 1929.6.40
The Necklace
Artist
Dateca. 1907
oil on wood
On view
Thomas Wilmer Dewing, Music, ca. 1895, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly, 1929.6.32
Music
Artist
Dateca. 1895
oil on canvas
On view