Woman of the Van Mater Family

Artist Harvey Jenkins

Periodca. 1850 - 1860

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions39.5 × 33.9 in. (100.3 × 86.1 cm)

SignedSigned on the stretcher “H Jenkins / Holmdel N J.”

ClassificationsPortraits

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Joseph P. Buck, 1935

Object number1983.564

DescriptionWoman facing forward sitting on a rock outcrop with a waterfall behind her. She is wearing a black dress with a delicate white lace collar and white lace sleeves. Her gloves rest on a rock by her left elbow.
Curatorial RemarksUnfortunately, no information is available regarding the subject of this engaging portrait. Harvey Jenkins painted a number of Van Mater family members. In this work, he depicted the sitter in an unusual rocky landscape with a waterfall in the background. Her gloves rest on a ledge by her left elbow. While Jenkins often portrayed his subjects with very stern facial expressions, in this work he captured a very serene effect with a slight trace of a “Mona Lisa Smile.”

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