Mary Hopkinson c. 1764

Benjamin West painted this portrait of Mary Hopkinson. Hopkinson is depicted holding a theorbo, a large lute, an instrument whose performance was associated with the upper classes. This detail not only speaks to the wealth and leisure afforded to Hopkinson, but also frames her within the social expectations for women to cultivate accomplishments in the arts. Look at the pearl necklace, the fashionable dress, the elaborate coiffure, all communicating a careful performance of femininity and class. West, as a leading artist of his time, often navigated the complex politics of portraiture, balancing personal expression with social expectations. In this work, West seems to subtly negotiate the tension between portraying Hopkinson as an individual and adhering to the conventions of representing women in the 18th century. Consider how portraiture then served as a means of social positioning, reflecting and reinforcing societal norms while hinting at the complexities of individual identity.