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2019-82,a&b, Portrait
Portrait of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller (Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.) (1874-1948)
2019-82,a&b, Portrait

Portrait of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller (Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.) (1874-1948)

Date1941
Artist Robert Brackman (1896 - 1980)
OriginAmerica, New York, New York City
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsUnframed: 38 1/8 x 32in. (96.8 x 81.3cm) and Framed: 48 1/2 x 42 1/2 x 3 1/2in.
Credit LineGift of the Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller Fund through the generosity of John D. Rockefeller 3rd, his wife Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller, and their four children
Object number2019-82,A&B
DescriptionThree-quarter-length portrait of a seated, older woman dressed in a yellow formal ball gown with a low off-the-shoulders neckline, and 3/4 length loose sleeves with ruching and bows. A large bow adorns the front of her gown. Her white hair is cut short and waved neatly close to her head. She wears a string of pearls around her neck and pearl earrings in her ears. Her hands are folded neatly in her lap.
Label TextThis painting captures many of the qualities that Abby Aldrich Rockefeller brought to her pioneering interest in American folk art: courage, determination, sincerity, and conviction.

The likeness was painted by Robert Brackman, a widely respected portraitist who also had a long career as a teacher, most notably at the Art Students League in New York City from 1934 through 1975. Abby Rockefeller routinely supported the work of contemporary artists and her own portrait is no exception.
InscribedIn brown paint in block letters in the upper right corner on the front is: "Brackman".

In thin, black paint in block letters in the upper left corner on the back of the original canvas is: "Mrs. John D. Rockefeller Jr./by Robert Brackman./N. Y. C. -- 1941."
MarkingsThe center and lower horizontal stretchers are each stamped in brown ink: "Schneider & Co., Inc./Artists Materials/123 West 68th St."
An engraved plaque formerly centered on the lower frame member (removed and stored in the object file 11/29/2006) reads: "ABBY ALDRICH ROCKEFELLER/DONOR OF THE COLLECTION/Painted by Robert Brackman/On loan through the courtesy of/Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, III."