Mrs.Thomas Mumford VI
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
William Johnston was the first portraitist to work for an extended period of time (1763-64) in Connecticut, where he enjoyed the patronage of prominent colonists like the Mumfords before returning to his native Boston. This likeness of Catherine Havens Mumford (1735-1778), one of four known portraits of Mumford family members, was probably painted at the same time as the portrait of her merchant husband, Thomas Mumford V (52.41), later a patriot active in the Revolutionary War. Her pose and the landscape behind her are similar to the grand postures and settings that other colonial painters drew from English mezzotint prints. Johnston's relative naïveté in treating such an ambitious format lends this work a distinctly decorative charm, especially in details like the double strand of pearls and the floral garland held in the sitter's hands.
Caption
William Johnston (American, 1732–1772). Mrs.Thomas Mumford VI, 1763. Oil on canvas, 49 15/16 x 38 13/16 in. (126.9 x 98.6 cm) frame: 56 1/2 × 45 3/8 × 2 1/2 in. (143.5 × 115.3 × 6.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 80.80. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
Mrs.Thomas Mumford VI
Date
1763
Medium
Oil on canvas
Classification
Dimensions
49 15/16 x 38 13/16 in. (126.9 x 98.6 cm) frame: 56 1/2 × 45 3/8 × 2 1/2 in. (143.5 × 115.3 × 6.4 cm)
Credit Line
Dick S. Ramsay Fund
Accession Number
80.80
Frequent Art Questions
Could you comment on the style of this painting and the status of the subject?
This is a typical portrait painted in colonial era North America. The style is clearly inspired by British trends at the time, but the execution suggests that the artist was self-taught. There weren't art schools in the North American colonies in the 18th century. Since there were few artists working in the British colonies, having a portrait painted was a special occasion. What do you think that says about the status of Mrs. Mumford?I work in a historic mansion in which we have a copy of a John Wollaston painting of Martha Washington's children from her first marriage to Daniel Parke Custis. The painting is in a very similar style for the same reasons. So I am sure she held elevated status.Can you tell me more about the clothing depicted here?
Her gown, with its lace decoration, and the pearls she's wearing, are both markers of wealth and status from the time. Whether she actually owned these objects, or was shown wearing them to portray a specific type of image to those who visited her home, is uncertain.The description said that this was potentially "image enhanced." How?
At the time this painting was made, it was common for artists to paint portraits based, at least in part, on prints and reproductions of other paintings. The dress in particular is similar to the clothing in another portrait by the same painter, suggesting that he might have copied the dress for this portrait, rather than painting what the sitter was actually wearing! When we say "image enhanced" we mean that the image is possibly a composite from multiple references, rather than completely true to life.Did the artist intend to make the subject appear more masculine?
No, they didn't. In fact, the painter was likely self taught, with the help of observation of other painting and print reproductions. That could explain why his style appears slightly unusual to you!
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