Portrait of Mary Blaikley Stith (Mrs. Griffin Stith, 1726-1784)
Dateca. 1745
Attributed to
William Dering (active 1734/1735-1755)
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsOverall: 37 x 27in. (94 x 68.6cm)
Credit LineGift of Christopher Johnston VII
Object number2016-199,A&C
DescriptionPortrait of a seated woman wearing a blue gown. The bodice of the gown is cinched narrowly at the waist and fastened with a decorative pearl and red stone pin just below the bust. The white ruffles of her shift can be seen peeking out at her elbows and around the gown's scooped neckline. The sitter holds a piece of red cloth to her shoulder with her proper left hand, although this may be a later addition. In addition to the pin on her chest the sitter is wearing a pearl choker, drop pearl earrings, as well as a string of pearls in her hair, which is pulled back in a bun with drop curls. In the background, to the right of the sitter, is a column and what appears to be a window looking out onto a landscape scene.Label TextMary Blaikley Stith was the daughter of William and Catharine Blaikley, the latter a prominent Williamsburg midwife who is credited with delivering “upwards of three Thousand Children,” presumably including members of the free and enslaved community. In 1743, Mary wed Griffin Stith and although the couple moved to nearby Northampton County, they maintained ties to Williamsburg and were later buried in the Bruton Parish churchyard.
A portrait of Mary’s mother-in-law, Elizabeth Buckner Stith, is the only known signed portrait by William Dering, the artist who rendered this painting. A dance and drawing master, Dering lived from 1742 to 1749 in the Thomas Everard House off of Palace Green.
1606-1615 (possibly)
Possibly 1700-1750
1815 probably
Probably 1764-1768
1800-1801 (possibly)
