Mrs. Robert Abbe (Catherine Amory Bennett)

Cecilia Beaux

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Object Label

Cecilia Beaux’s emphasis on the clothing in this portrait of the society matron Catherine Abbe points to Abbe’s social status rather than her personality or achievements. Mrs. Abbe devoted much time to philanthropic activities, including the League of Political Education, through which she supported women’s rights. Her interest in that cause may have led her to choose Beaux, an accomplished woman artist, to paint her portrait. Beaux made the decision not to marry, believing that family responsibilities would impede her professional success in a field dominated by men.

Caption

Cecilia Beaux (American, 1855–1942). Mrs. Robert Abbe (Catherine Amory Bennett), 1898–1899. Oil on canvas, 74 x 39 in. (188 x 99.1 cm) frame: 86 1/2 x 51 1/2 x 3 1/4 in. (219.7 x 130.8 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. M. R. Schweitzer, 1999.113. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Frequent Art Questions

Was this woman's face added later? Seems to be painted with more hasty/ looser brushstrokes than the rest of the work
There's definitely a contrast between the smoothness of the white satin gown (with all those black jet beads!) and the rougher texture of Mrs. Abbe's face. We're not sure why! We do know that Beaux captured an accurate likeness of Mrs. Abbe, although she didn't consider her sitter particularly beautiful.The portrait was painted over the course of several sittings in the artist's New York studio.
I'm curious about Cecilia Beaux. I'm from Philadelphia and we have quite an awesome collection of her work at museums there, but this portrait looks unfinished. Please explain.
Sure! Cecilia Beaux was influenced by French Impressionism -- a movement that utilized a looser application of paint in an attempt to capture the fleeting perception of light and color.