Portrait of Rebecca Boylston 1767

John Singleton Copley created this oil on canvas portrait, depicting Rebecca Boylston, with great attention to composition. The portrait strikes a balance between the subject and her surroundings, with an emphasis on color and texture. Observe how Copley uses the contrast between light and shadow to define the form. Note the delicate lace and sheen of Rebecca's satin dress. There is a cascade of floral and water motifs, which may symbolize the sitter's beauty and purity. A formal garden can be seen in the background, and juxtaposed with the natural foliage, this represents an ideal harmony between nature and civilization. The portrait’s geometry, with its classical division of background and figure, creates a sense of balance that reinforces the sitter’s refined status. Copley uses the formal language of portraiture to present Rebecca as both an individual and a representative of her class. This emphasis on structure and form offers insight into the values and ideals of the time, inviting endless interpretation.