Mrs. Fox 1802 - 1805

Benjamin Trott painted this miniature portrait of Mrs. Fox in the United States, most likely in the first two decades of the 19th century. At this time, the status of women was closely linked to that of their husbands and fathers. Looking at the image, we can see that the identity of Mrs. Fox resides in her married name, as opposed to her own identity. We see a smartly dressed woman in a white dress. The loose curls are a nod to the fashion for classicism then in vogue. She wears a pair of drop earrings, subtly indicating her wealth. These miniatures were luxury objects, but also were declarations of love or friendship. They circulated within a private sphere, usually among family and friends. These miniatures can tell us much about the evolving role of women and the social structures of the time. Auction and family records, when available, are useful tools for understanding the role of portraiture in early 19th-century America.