By Candlelight (Mrs. Jedidiah Morse) 1820

Samuel Morse painted this portrait of Mrs. Jedidiah Morse, likely in the early 19th century, with oil on canvas. The composition immediately draws you to the interplay of light and shadow. A soft, diffused light source, presumably a candle, illuminates Mrs. Morse's face and the pages of her book, while the surrounding areas are cloaked in deep, enveloping darkness. This dramatic contrast, known as chiaroscuro, serves more than just an aesthetic purpose. The artist uses light to guide our gaze, emphasizing the subject's contemplative expression and her engagement with the text. Notice how the light creates a sense of intimacy, almost as if we are sharing a private moment with her. This artistic choice reflects a broader philosophical interest in the power of knowledge and the interiority of the individual. Morse uses the formal elements of light and shadow to suggest the profound depths of thought and reflection that lie within his subject, inviting us to contemplate the unseen forces shaping human experience. Through its formal qualities, the painting suggests that meaning is something actively constructed by each individual.