Mrs. Warren Rogers 1818 - 1821

John Paradise painted "Mrs. Warren Rogers" with oil on canvas sometime in the first half of the 19th century. This piece invites us to consider the social role of portraiture in early America. The image creates meaning through visual codes of wealth and status. Consider the sitter's dress: its high collar and dark color mark it as sober and respectable, but the delicate frills also suggest a degree of affluence and refinement. In this period, portraits commissioned from painters served as a way for emerging middle-class families to publicly declare their arrival, emulating the customs of a European aristocracy that was no longer the model in the new republic. Understanding the context in which Paradise's portrait was made requires us to consult a wide range of sources, from period fashion plates to genealogical records. By examining the social and institutional history surrounding the creation of art, we can better understand its meaning and significance.