Portrait of Emily Sheldon Bullard (Mrs. Eleazer Bullard)(1798-1849)

Dateca. 1835

Attributed to Erastus Salisbury Field (1805-1900)

OriginAmerica, Massachusetts, Lee (probably)

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsUnframed: 34 1/8 x 27 3/4in. (86.7 x 70.5cm) and Framed: 36 3/4 x 30 5/8 x 2in.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1973.100.2

DescriptionA half-to-three-quarter-length portrait of a seated woman turned slightly towards the viewer's right, her proper right arm resting on a small table on which, also, rests a pincushion. She wears a black, high-waisted dress cut off the shoulders, each sleeve having a large puff between elbow and shoulder. The dress's low neck is filled with white, and she wears a lace-trimmed collar and an elaborate, white, lace-and-ribbon trimmed bonnet. Her dark brown hair is parted in the center and fixed atop her head with large curls at the temples and over the ears. She has brown eyes. The background is vaguely defined with cloud-like forms of warm gray, the lightest centered behind her.

The 2-inch turned split baluster frame, painted red with black sponging, is original.
Label TextEleazer Bullard (1787-1858) commissioned Erastus Salisbury Field to paint these companion portraits of himself and his second wife about 1835. At the same time, Bullard had Field paint portraits of his daughter from his first marriage and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Squire Brewer. All four paintings are the same size and carry identical frames so that they may hang as a group. The couples even share the same poses.

Field began painting in 1825 and by the 1830s had developed an efficient style that allowed him to complete a half-length portrait in a day, for which he charged $4.00. His basic format could be modified to suit his clients. In this instance, Eleazer is portrayed leaning on a table with an inkwell and quill while Emily rests her arm on a table with a pincushion.

ProvenanceFrom the subject to her step-daughter, Emeline Bullard Brewer (Mrs. Squire Brewer)(1798-1849); to her daughter, Marretta Brewer Street (Mrs. Oscar Dickinson Street); to her son, Oscar Dickinson Street II (1877-?); to his son, Oscar Dickinson Street III (1913-1971); to his wife, Grace Ann Gregory Street (Mrs. Oscar Dickinson Street III)(b. 1944), who married, second, James Stagliano and was CWF's source.

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