Hannah Babcock Bours
Artist
Joseph Blackburn
(English, active in America, about 1730–1787)
Date1759
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionscanvas: 127 × 101.6 cm (50 × 40 in.)
framed: 142.2 × 117.2 cm (56 × 46 1/8 in.)
framed: 142.2 × 117.2 cm (56 × 46 1/8 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineBequest of George Nixon Black
Object number1929.23
Label TextHannah Babcock was sixteen when she posed for the British-born portraitist Joseph Blackburn. Blackburn imported a new charm into American portraiture, witnessed by his decorative treatment of Hannah. The bright color notes of three blue bows lead the viewer up through the expanses of her glistening off-white satin gown and marble-like skin, to her gentle expression. Blackburn borrowed Hannah’s pose, the style of her dress, and the peaceful, park-like setting behind her from an English engraving.
After leaving England, Joseph Blackburn made his way to the island of Bermuda, where he enjoyed the patronage of the British colony’s wealthy merchants and planters. He eventually arrived in America with glowing letters of recommendation, quickly securing commissions in the commercial centers of Boston, Newport, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He returned to England, after the young and ambitious John Singleton Copley—who incidentally painted Hannah Babcock’s future husband, John Bours—eclipsed his artistic star.ProvenanceGeorge Nixon Black, Boston MAOn View
Not on view
