Mrs. James Ladson (Judith Smith) 1820

Samuel Morse painted this portrait of Mrs. James Ladson, Judith Smith, using oil on canvas. Beyond the face, the lace and bonnet are the most captivating parts of this picture, drawing our eye with their intricate patterns. Lace-making was painstaking work. It would have been done by women, often in communities that had developed a real specialty in this painstaking textile art. The work was so time consuming that handmade lace became a marker of status. This is certainly what is on display here. Morse's skill is evident in how he renders these textiles, which are not only decorative, but also symbolic of wealth and social standing. The artist's labor, though different in kind, is no less critical. His skill in capturing the material culture of his time is very impressive. It speaks to the value placed on craftsmanship, both in the making of luxury goods and in the fine arts. Appreciating this connection helps us to see past traditional art and craft boundaries.