A Woman with the Initials MCC 1773

John Bogle made this portrait miniature of a woman with the initials MCC around 1778, using watercolor on ivory. Painting on ivory demanded immense skill; the smooth, reflective surface doesn't absorb pigment easily, requiring many thin layers of paint. This wasn't just about artistic talent, but intense labor. Bogle likely used fine brushes, some made with just a few hairs, applying each stroke with precision. The miniature format itself is telling. These were luxury objects, expressions of personal connection and status. The work involved in producing such detailed images on a tiny scale speaks to the value placed on individualized representation in an emerging consumer culture. Considering the broader social context, Bogle’s meticulous craft becomes even more meaningful. It challenges any high/low art divide, and invites us to appreciate the labor, skill, and materials intertwined within this intimate portrait.