Mrs. E. Hunt 1829

This is a miniature watercolor on ivory of Mrs. E. Hunt, painted by Carl Weinedel, a German artist who emigrated to the United States in the early 19th century. These small portraits were luxury objects that served a very particular social function. In an era well before photography, they were keepsakes, tokens of affection, and markers of social status. The commissioning of such a portrait announced a certain level of economic success. We can tell from the woman’s dress that she is likely a member of the middle class or higher, and that she adheres to a conservative style of dress. Weinedel was one of many European artists who found a market for their skills in the rapidly expanding United States. These portraits can tell us a lot about the values of the rising merchant class who wished to record their existence for posterity. To better understand this painting, research into the dress and customs of the time would reveal a lot about social expectations in this era.