Mrs. Andrew Sigourney

Gilbert Stuart

Ca. 1820 · Oil on canvas · The American Wing

Elizabeth Williams (1765–1843) was the eldest daughter of Elizabeth Bell and Henry Howell Williams. In 1797, she married Andrew Sigourney, a prominent Bostonian. Over the course of his life, Sigourney served as treasurer of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, treasurer of the town of Boston, and representative in the Massachusetts state legislature. Here, Stuart has toned down the almost sensual quality he lent many female sitters in order to emphasize Mrs. Sigourney’s knowing intelligence and prosperity.

Artist

Gilbert Stuart

Date

Ca. 1820

Medium

Oil on canvas

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Donald F. Bush, in memory of Harriet P. Bush, 1978