A gorgeous portrait by John Singleton Copley of Abigail Bromfield, Mrs Daniel Dennison Rogers, painted in around 1784.
I’ve loved this painting ever since I came across it while studying for my degree. I love the drama, the shimmering colours, the rich colours of the sunset in the background, the wildness of the sky and the archly questioning look in the sitter’s eyes.
I’ve had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the artist ever since my very first week on my degree course at Nottingham University. I foolishly volunteered to lead the very first seminar, only to discover that it was to be about Copley’s best known work, which depicts some sailors tussling with a shark. I have an extreme shark phobia, so it didn’t go very well as I couldn’t bring myself to say the S Word, look at the picture or touch any pages that had it on. My next seminar, on the topic of Benjamin West’s painting of the death of General Wolfe, was not destined to go much better though, with no such excuse.
It has a modern feel to it with a great atmosphere. I also admire the lady very much for not letting the wind getting hold of that magnificent hat! Stunning!
*I have an acquaintance with Copley from undergrad, but I’ve never seen this wonderful portait before! I think of him as talented with drapery; here, though, the illusion of movement is stunning!
*But I understand your mixed feelings. I went to DC as a kid who had never heard of Copley-and there was “Watson and the Shark!” Now, I don’t particularly dislike sharks, but even after studying the picture later, it still gives me the creeps when I’m in the National Gallery!
*My favorite 1700-1800s American portraitist is John Trumbull, though I also love the Hudson River School-do they come up in European universities?