At the Window (also known as Portrait of Julia Sullivan Lynch) 1925

Lilla Cabot Perry made this portrait of Julia Sullivan Lynch with oil on canvas, using the traditional medium to explore themes of class, labor and cultural exchange. Perry's choice of oil paint allowed her to blend colors seamlessly and create a soft, dreamlike atmosphere, which she combined with visible brushwork. The way she applied paint in distinct strokes creates a tactile surface, visible on the sitter’s blue dress. This is juxtaposed with the smooth, delicate rendering of the vase, likely sourced from East Asia, illustrating the consumption habits of wealthy Americans at the time. The portrait also subtly evokes class distinctions. While the sitter is clearly well-off, she is presented without excessive display of wealth or leisure. Instead, her engagement with the candle suggests contemplation and purpose, hinting at the active role that women played in society during the period. By focusing on the material qualities of paint and cultural objects, Perry challenges the conventional divide between fine art and everyday life, inviting us to consider the ways in which artistic practices are interwoven with broader social realities.