Sally Sanford Perit 1790

Editor: Here we have Reuben Moulthrop’s "Sally Sanford Perit," painted in 1790. It’s an oil painting, currently residing at The Met. There’s something almost haunting about the directness of her gaze. I find it captivating. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: Captivating is a perfect word. It whispers tales of a life lived during a pivotal moment in history. Notice how the artist renders the fabric, a gossamer dream, and then anchors it all with that intense, almost confrontational stare. The slight asymmetry adds to the feeling that we're encountering a real person, not an idealized figure. It almost feels like the painting dares you to imagine her story, doesn’t it? Editor: It definitely does. The detail in the lace is incredible. What's the significance of her holding the locket? Curator: Ah, the locket! A tantalizing clue, isn't it? Perhaps a miniature portrait of a loved one, a husband at sea, a child away at school. Or even a token of mourning. Moulthrop leaves us suspended in this possibility. Her world, rendered in shades of quiet longing, framed with incredible delicacy! Does it stir your own narrative longings? Editor: Absolutely. It’s amazing how much emotion can be conveyed through something as seemingly simple as a portrait. Curator: Simple? Never! This painting is a layered poem! Editor: I agree. I definitely see it differently now, especially the narrative depth you pointed out. Curator: It's all there, just waiting for someone to listen with their eyes! Now I see new things too! Let's ponder our fleeting perceptions together.