Joshua Johnson (American, active c. 1796-1824)
Mrs. Abraham White and Daughter Rose, c. 1808-1809
Oil on canvas, 30 x 25-1/2 inches
Gift of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch

This is an oil on canvas double portrait of a mother and child. The mother, a woman of about thirty, is seated on a Sheraton sofa; standing at her left side is a child of about two years of age. The mother has blue-gray eyes and light hair. She wears a high-waisted black dress with white muslin and lace guimpe, and with sleeves trimmed with white lace. In her right hand she holds a half opened book, and her left arm encircles the child. The child is turned slightly to the left toward her mother. She wears a high-waisted muslin dress trimmed about the neck with lace. Her right hand rests on her mother's shoulder and in her left hand she holds a bunch of strawberry leaves and berries. The sofa is covered with some dark material attached to the frame with brass-headed tacks. The background is gray.

• american painting & SCULPTURE >

• colonial & folk painting >