Mrs. Reuben Allerton (Lois Atherton) 1821 - 1822

Ammi Phillips painted this portrait of Mrs. Reuben Allerton, or Lois Atherton, in the United States at some point in the first half of the 19th century. It speaks volumes about the social and cultural standing of women during that time. Note the deliberate choice of the newspaper, ‘The Gospel Herald,’ held prominently in her hand. In a time when literacy was not universal, and reading was a gendered activity, the newspaper signifies her education and awareness of public affairs. It reflects an era of growing print culture and the increasing participation of women in religious and social movements. How does this portrayal challenge or reinforce conventional notions of women's roles in the early 19th century? To interpret such a painting fully, art historians often delve into period documents, from census records to religious pamphlets, to reconstruct the world that shaped both artist and sitter. Through this research we can understand the changing social and institutional dynamics of the time.