Less than two months before the 80-year-old Powell passed away, one of her sons commissioned this portrait in order to commemorate her life and create an heirloom for future generations. According to the sitter’s granddaughter, Powell was “a little woman of sober conviction and strong Presbyterian faith.” The painting passed through a line of female descendants until shortly before it was given to the museum.
- By John Singleton Copley (American, 1738–1815)
- Dated 1764
- Rights: CC0
Terms
Culture
America
Medium
oil on canvas
Genre
Painting
Department
American Painting and Sculpture
Relations
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