Mrs. Andrew Sigourney, Gilbert Stuart, circa 1820

Mrs. Andrew sigourney artist: gilbert stuart (american, north kingston, rhode island 1755–1828 boston, massachusetts) date: ca. 1820 medium: oil on canvas dimensions: 27 x 22 in. (68. 6 x 55. 9 cm) classification: paintings credit line: gift of donald f. Bush, in memory of harriet p. Bush, 1978 elizabeth williams (1765–1843) was the eldest daughter of elizabeth bell and henry howell williams. In 1797, she married andrew sigourney, a prominent bostonian. Over the course of his life, sigourney served as treasurer of the ancient and honorable artillery company, treasurer of the town of boston, and representative in the massachusetts state legislature. Here, stuart has toned down the almost sensual quality he lent many female sitters in order to emphasize mrs. Sigourney’s knowing intelligence and prosperity. Date: circa 1820. Collection: Metropolitan Museum of Art.