Portrait of Ethel D. Puffer

Art Historical Context

Step into the intimate world of 19th-century American portraiture with *Portrait of Ethel D.uffer*, a tender 1875 drawing by Wilmer Dewing.uring the fresh-faced innocence of a young child in a classic bust format, this work highlights Dewing's early mastery of capturing subtle expressions and delicate features. At just 24 years, Dewing was honing his skills during a pivotal era in American art, realistic portrait traditions with the emerging Aesthetic movement's emphasis on beauty and harmony. As a drawing, the piece exemplifies the preparatory precision valued in the late 19th century, where...