Joanna and Elizabeth Perkins
- Date
- c.1749
- Material
- Oil on canvas
- made in
- United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Paintings
- Collection
- American Art
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 25 × 30 in. (63.5 × 76.2 cm)
framed (sight): 28 × 33 in. (71.1 × 83.8 cm) - Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. Daniel K. Catlin
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 8:1965
NOTES
The sweet character of Joanna is symbolized by the cherries she holds. Her basket of flowers suggests childhood innocence. Elizabeth holds a silver toy with a whistle on the bottom, bells at the middle, and a red coral teether on top. Teething was considered potentially life threatening, and coral was thought to protect children from sickness and danger.
Scholars have questioned aspects of this painting. If the painter is John Smibert, the style suggests it should be dated between 1735–46. However, this means the sitters are not the Perkins, as they were not born until 1745 and 1747. They might be the Perkins girls if the painter is not Smibert, which is a possibility because the clothing and poses are not painted in his typical style. These kinds of questions—if not Smibert, then who? If not the Perkins, then who?—engage curators in research to better understand the objects in their care.
Scholars have questioned aspects of this painting. If the painter is John Smibert, the style suggests it should be dated between 1735–46. However, this means the sitters are not the Perkins, as they were not born until 1745 and 1747. They might be the Perkins girls if the painter is not Smibert, which is a possibility because the clothing and poses are not painted in his typical style. These kinds of questions—if not Smibert, then who? If not the Perkins, then who?—engage curators in research to better understand the objects in their care.
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