Caroline Louisa Pratt Bartlett 

Rembrandt Peale painted this oil portrait of Caroline Louisa Pratt Bartlett sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Although seemingly traditional, even conservative in its approach, this work offers insights into early American society and its relationship to both labor and class. Consider the material reality of the portrait itself. Oil paint, painstakingly applied, immortalizes the sitter. Peale’s skill would have been in high demand among the rising merchant class. Caroline's lavish fur shawl, for example, speaks volumes about her family's wealth and access to luxury goods. Each detail, from the drape of her dress to the soft glow of her skin, is rendered with a precision that elevates the work from mere representation to a statement of social status. By focusing on these material details and the processes involved in their creation, we can move beyond the surface of the artwork and gain a deeper understanding of the historical forces that shaped its meaning. This moves us beyond a simple appreciation of aesthetics and towards an understanding of the painting as a social artifact.