Julianna Hazlehurst c. 1820

Jacob Eichholtz painted this portrait of Julianna Hazlehurst, an affluent woman, with oil on canvas sometime in the early 19th century. It represents much more than just an image of a person. It is also a depiction of social status. In the early 1800s, the United States witnessed a surge in portraiture among the upper classes. The growing merchant class sought ways to emulate the European aristocracy, commissioning portraits as symbols of their success. Eichholtz was one of the most sought-after portraitists of his day, moving throughout Pennsylvania to find commissions like this one. Notice the trappings of wealth in this image: her elegant dress, the vibrant shawl, and the column and landscape in the background. These elements are all visual cues that this is a woman of substance. Historians delve into genealogical records, account books, and other such documentary evidence to reveal the intricate webs of patronage and social aspiration woven into these images. These objects are invaluable resources for understanding the social and institutional contexts that shaped their creation.