Mrs. James Pulham Sr. (Frances Amys, ca. 1766–1856)

John Constable

1818 · Oil on canvas · European Paintings

The sitter, an amateur portrait painter, was the wife of James Pulham, an attorney in Woodbridge, Suffolk. In a letter to Constable of April 30, 1818, Mr. Pulham referred to this painting as "the Compliment which you have so handsomely bestowed on her." Portraiture was a minor but remunerative part of Constable’s practice. This is one of his liveliest works, with varied brushwork and glinting highlights.

Artist

John Constable

Date

1818

Medium

Oil on canvas

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

Gift of George A. Hearn, 1906