American
Adelia Smith Stewart, 1855-1860
Hand-colored albumen print, 16 x 20 cm (6 5/16 x 7 7/8 in.)
This hand colored photograph on egg-white and silver nitrate treated paper depicts Adelia Smith Stewart.In the background there is the corner of a large, heavily framed painting visible on the right and a velvet, tasseled curtain drawn to the far left side. Adelia is standing with her left hand resting on the back of a small red velvet upholstered side chair. She faces the viewer, head slightly tilted to the left, her lips closed in a small smile. Her clear blue eyes directly meet the viewer’s. Her complexion is pale and clear although her cheeks are rosy. Her shiny, walnut brown hair is parted in the center and gathered over both ears. The back of her head is covered with a black lace cap. There is an abundance of white lace: a pair of ruffles at each wrist, a large collar, and the central bodice of her gown. There is also a large lace handkerchief in her left hand that flows over the back of the chair support. Although everything she is wearing shows wealth, including the white ermine stole draped over her gray and black striped satin skirt and velvet trimmed jacket, her jewelry is simple. She wears small gold drop earrings, a simple gold band on her left index finger, and a miniature of a child in a gold frame hanging at her heart.
Vatichino
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.