Portrait of Elizabeth Stirling Foote
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Object Label
In keeping with the emotional symbolism of miniatures, couples frequently exchanged these tokens to mark an engagement or wedding, as was the case for Elizabeth Stirling (1811–1900) and Erasmus Darwin Foote (1808–1866), who married in March 1833. (Accession no. 16.687.2, in Drawer 47A, is the companion miniature.) The artist, Thomas Seir Cummings of New York, was the most famous miniaturist of his day and also taught and published on the subject. Contemporary critics praised his works for their ability to “raise sensations in the bosoms of those who gaze on them.”
Caption
Thomas Seir Cummings American, born England, 1804–1894. Portrait of Elizabeth Stirling Foote, 1832. Watercolor on ivory portrait in brass locket with glass lenses on both sides, Image (sight): 2 11/16 x 2 3/16 in. (6.8 x 5.6 cm) Frame: 3 x 2 5/8 in. (7.6 x 6.7 cm) Frame (height with loop): 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm) Case: 4 3/16 x 3 1/8 x 1 in. (10.6 x 7.9 x 2.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 16.687.1. No known copyright restrictions (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.687.1_PS1.jpg)
Collection
Collection
Artist
Title
Portrait of Elizabeth Stirling Foote
Date
1832
Medium
Watercolor on ivory portrait in brass locket with glass lenses on both sides
Classification
Dimensions
Image (sight): 2 11/16 x 2 3/16 in. (6.8 x 5.6 cm) Frame: 3 x 2 5/8 in. (7.6 x 6.7 cm) Frame (height with loop): 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm) Case: 4 3/16 x 3 1/8 x 1 in. (10.6 x 7.9 x 2.5 cm)
Signatures
Signed in pencil on verso: "Cummings Pinx.t; dated 1832."
Credit Line
Museum Collection Fund
Accession Number
16.687.1
Rights
No known copyright restrictions
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