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Christian Gullager, Matilda Davis Williams, ca. 1791-1792, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1977.101.2
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Matilda Davis was the daughter of Caleb Davis, an important Boston merchant and shipowner and Speaker in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. She married Jeremiah Williams in 1787, just three years before she died at the age of twenty-two, and in this image she wears a miniature portrait of her husband. Christian Gullager created this portrait posthumously, probably from an existing painting of the young woman. He played with different textures in the detailed image, from the delicate lace of the sitter's bodice to her smooth, pale skin and shiny satin bow. Matilda appears ill at ease, as though she felt self-conscious in the elaborate gown and headdress she wore for the occasion.
- Title
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Matilda Davis Williams
- Artist
- Date
- ca. 1791-1792
- On View
- Dimensions
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29 5/8 x 24 3/4 in. (75.3 x 63.0 cm)
- Copyright
- Credit Line
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Smithsonian American Art Museum
Museum purchase
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- oil on canvas
- Classifications
- Keywords
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- Portrait female – Williams, Matilda Davis – waist length
- Dress – accessory – jewelry
- Object Number
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1977.101.2
- Palette
- Linked Open Data
- Linked Open Data URI