Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams 

This is Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, painted with oils on canvas. Consider the material reality of this painting. Stuart has carefully depicted Mrs. Adams in fine textiles: lace, silk, and wool. The lace, especially, speaks to complex histories of production. Bobbin lace like this was made by women, often working at home for very little pay. The very fine thread used to create it was often imported from overseas. And in this painting, it adorns a woman of elite status, wife of a future president. Stuart’s brushwork is remarkably skillful, and this is also a kind of labor – his expertise, developed over years of practice. Every single element in this portrait speaks to the circulation of goods, talents, and power. This wasn't just art. It was a statement of position, carefully composed. Recognizing these different registers of labor helps us to understand the full story that a portrait like this can tell.