Miniature Portrait of Mrs. Mary Graham after Thomas Gainsborough

Name/Title

Miniature Portrait of Mrs. Mary Graham after Thomas Gainsborough

Context

This full-length portrait depicts an 18th century lady, after one of the most well-known portraits of the English painter Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) representing “The Honourable Mrs Graham” in 1777 (Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland). This watercolor on ivory is one of a pair of miniatures in the Neill-Cochran House Museum’s collection. Its counterpart is most likely also inspired by an oil painting by Gainsborough. The frame is made from bone marquetery. It is just as unique as the portrait it contains. The frames were custom designed and created to fit and enhance only the specific miniature it was designed for. Hence, frames of miniatures can come in a variety of forms and can be very sober or decorated in more sophisticated ways with precious stones and ornaments.

Acquisition

Accession

nd.056

Source or Donor

Unknown

Acquisition Method

Gift

Made/Created

Artist

Thomas Gainsborough, 1727-1788 (after)