Conversation Piece

Lilly Martin Spencer

ca. 1851–52 · Oil on canvas · The American Wing

Born in England, Spencer immigrated to the United States in 1830. She began her career in Cincinnati, painting portraits and literary subjects, but after moving to New York in 1848, she struggled to find patrons for these works and soon turned her attention to painting scenes of domestic life. Working in a male-dominated art world, Spencer carved out space for herself by focusing on depictions of familial bliss, often drawing on her own experiences as a wife and mother. She also used her husband and children as models, including in this work, which is set in her family’s well-appointed parlor.

Artist

Lilly Martin Spencer

Date

ca. 1851–52

Medium

Oil on canvas

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Maria DeWitt Jesup and Morris K. Jesup Funds, 1998