Portrait of a Woman 1818

Anna Claypoole Peale made this small portrait in 1838, using watercolor on ivory. Now, ivory isn’t your typical art supply, but it was fairly common for miniature portraits like this one. Think about it: ivory comes from elephant tusks, which must be carefully carved into thin, flat plaques. The surface is smooth, and lends itself well to the fine detail that Peale achieved here. Watercolor is translucent, so the whiteness of the ivory shines through, giving the portrait a soft, almost ethereal quality. Creating a likeness in this way took tremendous skill, and a lot of time. The level of detail suggests that Peale knew her sitter well. These objects would have been commissioned by those with money, becoming treasured objects to carry on your person, an intimate memento of a loved one. By considering the unusual material, and its inherent connection to trade and labour, we realize that this image is more than just a pretty face. It’s a reminder of how much artistry and effort can be contained within a tiny, precious object.