The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of May 7, 2024

Portrait of a Woman (Judith Colman Bulfinch?)

Portrait of a Woman (Judith Colman Bulfinch?)

c. 1734
(American, 1688–1751)
America, 18th century
oil on canvas
Framed: 94 x 81 x 6 cm (37 x 31 7/8 x 2 3/8 in.); Unframed: 75.6 x 62.2 cm (29 3/4 x 24 1/2 in.)
Hinman B. Hurlbut Collection 1920.3919
Location: not on view

Description

The appearance of a professionally trained British painter in the American colonies in 1729 marks a curcial point in the history of American art. Smibert not only imported the skills necessary to convey the impression of substantial, rounded forms in a picture, but his commercial success also inspired others to contemplate careers as painters. Born in Edinburgh and schooled in London and Italy, Smibert attracted numerous clients upon his arrival in Boston. The low bodice, long neck, and sinuous curl of hair in this portrait follow British conventions for depicting women. Research continues as to the identity of the sitter, long thought to be Mrs. Thomas Bulfinch (born Judith Colman, 1707-1765), since that name does not appear in Smibert's recently discovered records.
  • family of the sitter
    Emily Hallowell, Mass.
    family of the sitter, to Emily Hallowell, Mass.
  • L. P. "Smibert's Portrait of Mrs. Thomas Bulfinch." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 8, no. 1 (1921): 3-7. Reproduced: Front Matter; Mentioned: pp. 3-7 www.jstor.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art Handbook. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1958. Mentioned and Reproduced: cat. no. 525 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. Reproduced: p. 155 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. Reproduced: p. 155 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 197 archive.org
  • The Twentieth Anniversary Exhibition: The Official Art Exhibit of the Great Lakes Exposition. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 26-October 4, 1936).
  • {{cite web|title=Portrait of a Woman (Judith Colman Bulfinch?)|url=false|author=John Smibert|year=c. 1734|access-date=07 May 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1920.3919