Mrs. Francis Stanton Blake 1837 - 1844

Chester Harding's portrait of Mrs. Francis Stanton Blake is an oil on canvas that provides a window into the lives of women in 19th-century America. Harding was a self-taught artist who became a successful portrait painter, capturing the likenesses of prominent figures of his time. The portrait reflects the cultural values and social expectations placed on women during this period. Mrs. Blake is depicted with a serene and composed demeanor, embodying the ideal of feminine virtue and domesticity. Her clothing and hairstyle reflect the fashion of the time, indicative of her status and identity within the upper echelons of society. Harding captures not just her physical appearance, but also a sense of her social standing. However, as we consider the portrait, it's important to remember that it presents a constructed image, carefully curated to convey certain messages about gender, class, and respectability. What does it mean to be a woman in the 1800’s, and how much of this truth is actually captured?