Ralph Wormeley Curtis (Boston, 1854 - 1922, Beaulieu-sur-Mer)
Isabella Stewart Gardner in Seville, Spain, 20 April 1888
Graphite and ink on paper, 16 x 12.8 cm (6 5/16 x 5 in.)
This rectangular graphite and ink bust portrait of Mrs. Gardner is positioned vertically. The image is drawn on off-white paper with an irregular edge which is set over a black matting. The bust of Mrs. Gardner is placed just to our right of center, facing forward and slightly to our left. Her hair, the outline of her face, and her draped neckline are sketched in, as are her nose and mouth. Her eyes and some hair at the hairline are inked in black. Below the portrait is a small heart inked in black. A dagger pierces the heart. Inscribed in ink in the center is Sevilla/88./20 April. Signed in ink in the center are the initials RC. Inscribed in ink at the bottom is Mrs. Gardner. And marked in pencil in the bottom right corner is the numeral 119.
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Commentary
This sketch by the American painter Ralph Wormeley Curtis was done during the Gardners’ trip to Spain in 1888. Isabella Stewart Gardner included this sketch in her travel album for Spain and Portugal—a personal memento of travels with a friend.