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Silhouette of Sally Stevens
This is a wonderful semifolky silhouette of a woman identified as Sally Stevens wearing a dress with the typical puffy sleeve of the early part of the period, c. 1810-15 The clothing is executed in watercolor wash. Sally's collar, known as a ruff, has wonderful watercolor embellishment and the green ribbon around her neck tied into a bow is a nice addition. The silhouette artist obviously had a good eye for detail. The profile is well cut and has a very pleasing expression. The hair and the comb are simply defined. This choice of technique works well with the whole. It is a very pleasing portrait.
Sally Stevens was the sister of Col. Ebenezer Stevens, we are told as written on the back of the silhouette. In doing some preliminary genealogical research I find a Sally Stevens (b. 2 Dec 1773 in either Bridgeton, ME or Andover, MA) and Ebenezer Stevens as two of thirteen children born to Jacob and Tabitha (Farnum) Stevens. The coincidence of the children's names points with almost certainty that this is our Sally. The stamped brass oval frame compliments the portrait and while I know the frame is not original to the piece, it makes a nice presentation with the old, bubbly glass. Size, (including the frame) is 4-1/2" x 3-1/2".
R05H03099 0041 Questions? Ask the Ferret!
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