Mrs. Robert Abbe (Catherine Amory Bennett)
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Object Label
Cecilia Beaux’s emphasis on the clothing in this portrait of the society matron Catherine Abbe points to Abbe’s social status rather than her personality or achievements. Mrs. Abbe devoted much time to philanthropic activities, including the League of Political Education, through which she supported women’s rights. Her interest in that cause may have led her to choose Beaux, an accomplished woman artist, to paint her portrait. Beaux made the decision not to marry, believing that family responsibilities would impede her professional success in a field dominated by men.
Caption
Cecilia Beaux American, 1855–1942. Mrs. Robert Abbe (Catherine Amory Bennett), 1898–1899. Oil on canvas, 74 x 39 in. (188 x 99.1 cm) frame: 86 1/2 x 51 1/2 x 3 1/4 in. (219.7 x 130.8 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. M. R. Schweitzer, 1999.113. No known copyright restrictions (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1999.113_PS20.jpg)
Tags
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
Mrs. Robert Abbe (Catherine Amory Bennett)
Date
1898–1899
Medium
Oil on canvas
Classification
Dimensions
74 x 39 in. (188 x 99.1 cm) frame: 86 1/2 x 51 1/2 x 3 1/4 in. (219.7 x 130.8 x 8.3 cm)
Signatures
Signed lower left: "Cecilia Beaux"
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. M. R. Schweitzer
Accession Number
1999.113
Rights
No known copyright restrictions
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Frequent Art Questions
Was this woman's face added later? Seems to be painted with more hasty/ looser brushstrokes than the rest of the work
There's definitely a contrast between the smoothness of the white satin gown (with all those black jet beads!) and the rougher texture of Mrs. Abbe's face. We're not sure why! We do know that Beaux captured an accurate likeness of Mrs. Abbe, although she didn't consider her sitter particularly beautiful.The portrait was painted over the course of several sittings in the artist's New York studio.I'm curious about Cecilia Beaux. I'm from Philadelphia and we have quite an awesome collection of her work at museums there, but this portrait looks unfinished. Please explain.
Sure! Cecilia Beaux was influenced by French Impressionism -- a movement that utilized a looser application of paint in an attempt to capture the fleeting perception of light and color.
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