Miss Emeline Parker of Lowell, Massachusetts

Ruth Whittier Shute|Samuel Addison Shute

1832 · Watercolor, gouache, gum arabic, graphite, and gold foil on heavy, white wove paper · The American Wing

Married in 1827, Ruth and Samuel Shute were a husband-and-wife team of itinerant portrait painters working in New England and upstate New York. Although they initially painted independently, the couple collaborated on a series of oil and watercolor portraits beginning in 1832. Little is known about the sitter, who is identified only by the calling card in her right hand. An inscription on the back reveals each artist’s contribution to the work, which was “Drawn by R.W. Shute and Painted by S. A. Shute.” The couple characteristically mixed materials, combining graphite, watercolor, and applied gold foil, added here to emulate Miss Parker’s jewelry.

Artist

Ruth Whittier Shute|Samuel Addison Shute

Date

1832

Medium

Watercolor, gouache, gum arabic, graphite, and gold foil on heavy, white wove paper

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, 1966