Mrs. Thomas A. Somersall (Maria Willard Stevens)

Artist: Robertson, Walter
Date: ca. 1795

The daughter of Daniel Stevens, Maria Stevens was left motherless before she was one year old. She was raised by her father's third wife. The miniature combines naturalism with subdued elegance to create a very pleasing portrait of a young woman. Textures are all-important, with dynamic contrasts between her soft hair, the glistening pearls and the starchy frills of her dress. As in the portrait of her father, the case could have been mounted on a bracelet.

Notes:

This text is adapted from Martha Severens "The Miniature Portrait Collection of the Carolina Art Association" published by the Carolina Art Association, 1984



  • Artist's Dates: ca. 1750 - 1802
  • Artist's Nationality: Irish
  • Medium: Watercolor
  • Support: Ivory
  • Dimensions: 1 7/8 X 1 5/8 Inches
  • Sitter's Dates: (1776-1806)
  • Credit: Gift of Mrs. Ridgely Hunt
  • Period: 18th century
  • Accession Number: 1934.006.0002
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