Mrs. Nathaniel Parkinson
late 18th - early 19th century
Medium
Painting-Miniature
Classification
Painting-Miniature
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Mary Elizabeth Spencer
Accession Number
1999.27.10
Tags
About this artwork
This miniature was originally attributed to the artist William Dunlap, but research has since proved this not to be the case. We do not know the life of Mrs. Nathaniel Parkinson, but her cap suggests that this portrait was painted in the first half of the nineteenth century.
Art Historical Context
Behold the delicate miniature portrait of *Mrs. Nathaniel Parkinson*, gem from the late 18 to early 19th, created by an unidentified artist. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum through the bequest of Mary Elizabeth Spencer this bust-length painting exemplifies the intimate art of miniatures—small-scale works, often no larger than a few inches, crafted for personal wear as brooches, lockets, or keepsakes. These portraits demanded exceptional skill in watercolor on ivory (or similar grounds), capturing fine details with luminous precision for loved ones separated by distance or time. ...
About the Artist
Unidentified ( ) · –