Mrs. Richard Wilmot Hall (Eliza Taylor) 1800 - 1865

This is Mrs. Richard Wilmot Hall, or Eliza Taylor, made in the 19th century by Gennarino Persico. It’s rendered in graphite on ivory, a common choice for portrait miniatures at the time. Ivory was a prized material, its smooth surface allowing for incredibly fine detail. Look closely and you’ll notice the stippling, or tiny dots, used to create the soft gradations of tone in Eliza’s face and dress. The graphite is delicately applied, almost like a whisper, and shows Persico's mastery of the medium. Of course, the desirability of ivory comes at a cost. The material’s inherent value speaks to the sitter’s social status and wealth, and to the complicated ethics of luxury. The amount of labor involved here – the artist’s careful hand and the extraction of ivory – add layers to our understanding of this intimate portrait. Thinking about materials and making helps us consider this artwork beyond just a pretty face.