Disagree
Written by Golda
(10/21/2003 9:17 p.m.)
in consequence of the missive, GR: As promised, The Cover ;-), penned by Tori Marie
I see a dark line in the portrait on my hardcover copy but I have a very hard time believing that the artist re-created a bad make up line, if indeed she had one. While some artists paint flaws and all, I would say that most people who were paying for their portraits would request and receive something a little more perfect. I blame the artist and see why he retired to Derby leaving Reynolds and Gainsborough to paint wealthier society in the south. ;-) I also don't accept that the sitter was crying or unhappy and that she let the painter portray her in this manner. I do like the portrait of Mrs. Sarah Clayton on the back cover. Note that she is pointing to an architectural drawing. I tried to find more info on this portrait but the Fitchburg Art Museum, Fitchburg, Massachusetts doesn't have much of a web site. Perhaps she was a patroness and this portrait commemorates a project that she was supporting. Or perhaps she was overseeing the building of a family home. Whatever it was, I interpret this portrait as illustrating a useful woman, rather than an ornamental one. |
