Dolley Madison (1768-1849) 1846

Editor: Here we have Eastman Johnson's portrait of Dolley Madison. It's a drawing, roughly 54 by 37 centimeters, and the detail in the clothing is remarkable. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Notice the texture created by the drawing material itself – likely charcoal or graphite. Johnson's labor in rendering the fabric's materiality, especially the sheer shawl, speaks volumes about the luxury and status associated with such textiles. How does this detailed rendering affect our understanding of Dolley Madison's social position? Editor: It highlights the importance of material goods in conveying status. I hadn’t considered the labor involved in creating this image. Curator: Exactly! The artwork becomes a record not only of Dolley Madison but also of the artist’s labor and the culture of consumption surrounding portraiture. It makes me think about the role of art in reinforcing societal hierarchies and, at the same time, revealing the means of their construction. Editor: That's a completely different way of looking at portraiture. I’ll definitely keep that in mind!