Mrs. George Ingersoll (Martha Goldthwaite) 1817 - 1820

This is a miniature portrait of Mrs. George Ingersoll, Martha Goldthwaite, by Sarah Goodridge. Notice the elaborate white lace collar and bonnet. These were not merely fashion statements but symbols of status and virtue in a rapidly changing world. Such adornments echo across centuries, harking back to the ruffs of the Elizabethan era. Once, these were symbols of aristocratic distinction, worn by the likes of Queen Elizabeth I, but now, they were appearing on the shoulders and heads of an American elite. Consider the subconscious desire to connect with a glorious past, as this new gentry sought to anchor themselves in the flow of history. The white lace frames the face, drawing our eye to the subject's features and conveying purity. The return of this motif shows how cultural symbols recycle and evolve. The likeness of Mrs. Ingersoll captures a fleeting moment, even as it connects her image to a chain of meanings extending far beyond her own time.