Mrs. David Curtis Deforest (Julia Wooster) 1823

This is a portrait of Mrs. David Curtis DeForest, Julia Wooster, painted by Samuel Morse, who we now know as the inventor of the telegraph. Morse worked with oil paint, carefully layering it on the canvas to create a smooth, lifelike representation of his subject. It's not just the way that the artist manipulated the paint, but also the other materials depicted, that really bring this painting to life. Notice the intricate lace trim on her dress, the delicate fabric of her turban, and the luxurious paisley shawl draped across her lap. These textiles, likely imported from afar, speak to the wealth and status of the sitter, but also to the global trade networks that were emerging in the early 19th century. The portrait becomes a record of the materials that defined a certain social milieu. It prompts us to consider the labor and resources required to produce them. Seeing Mrs. DeForest amidst her finery underscores how much paintings can tell us about the world of things.