Portrait of a Gentleman 1825

This is Sarah Goodridge's "Portrait of a Gentleman," a watercolor on ivory from the early 19th century, a period when women artists often navigated the limitations imposed by gender. Goodridge, who came from a modest background, had to negotiate the social expectations of her time. Portrait miniatures were deemed an acceptable art form for women, perhaps because of their small scale and intimate nature, or because they could be taught at girls’ schools. The delicate precision and attention to detail required suited the 19th-century ideals of femininity, and as a portraitist, Goodridge could be a businesswoman, without threatening the established order. But do not mistake acceptability for ease. Goodridge’s meticulous brushstrokes and careful attention to the gentleman's features speak to her skill. In a society that often confined women to the domestic sphere, Goodridge found a way to work, to create, and to leave her mark. Her art becomes a testament to the quiet determination of women who sought ways to express themselves.