Portrait of Emily Warren Roebling
Charles-Émile-Auguste Carolus-Duran
European Art
A Brooklyn Power Couple
Washington and Emily Roebling, like many eminent Americans, had their likenesses painted by leading French portraitists. Washington, who served as the chief engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge, is depicted seated before a window overlooking the landmark. When he fell ill during construction, Emily assumed all on-site responsibilities and was the first to cross the bridge, in 1883.
Emily Roebling was honored at the bridge’s opening ceremony, and her celebrity later extended beyond Brooklyn. She wore the elaborate dress she wears here at her presentation at court in St. James’s Palace in London and at the crowning of the czar and czarina in Moscow.
Washington and Emily Roebling, like many eminent Americans, had their likenesses painted by leading French portraitists. Washington, who served as the chief engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge, is depicted seated before a window overlooking the landmark. When he fell ill during construction, Emily assumed all on-site responsibilities and was the first to cross the bridge, in 1883.
Emily Roebling was honored at the bridge’s opening ceremony, and her celebrity later extended beyond Brooklyn. She wore the elaborate dress she wears here at her presentation at court in St. James’s Palace in London and at the crowning of the czar and czarina in Moscow.
MEDIUM
Oil on canvas
DATES
1896
DIMENSIONS
89 × 47 1/2 in., 214 lb. (226.1 × 120.7 cm, 97.07kg)
frame: 103 x 62 x 6 in. (261.6 x 157.5 x 15.2 cm) (show scale)
SIGNATURE
Signed and dated lower left: "Carolus-Duran./Paris 1896."
COLLECTIONS
European Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
1994.69.1
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Paul Roebling
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Charles-Émile-Auguste Carolus-Duran (French, 1838–1917). Portrait of Emily Warren Roebling, 1896. Oil on canvas, 89 × 47 1/2 in., 214 lb. (226.1 × 120.7 cm, 97.07kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Paul Roebling, 1994.69.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.69.1_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 1994.69.1_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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