The artwork entitled “Mrs. Roger Morris (Mary Philipse)” is an oil on canvas portrait painted by John Singleton Copley in 1771. It measures 76.2 x 62.23 cm and can be categorized as part of the Neoclassicism art movement. The genre of the artwork is portraiture, and it is housed at the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library in Winterthur, Delaware, United States.
The artwork depicts Mary Philipse Morris, portrayed with a serene and contemplative expression. She appears in a three-quarter view against a dark background, which serves to highlight her visage and the elegant details of her attire. The portrait showcases Copley’s mastery of capturing texture and light, as evidenced by the silky sheen of her cream-hued gown and the translucence of the red shawl draped across her shoulders. The shawl is delicately adorned with polka dots and punctuated by a brooch at the center of her chest. Her black hair is styled in a manner typical of the period, soft and framing her forehead, while her attire is completed with a black belt featuring golden floral accents. The artwork possesses a refined elegance that reflects the standards of portraiture and aesthetics of the Neoclassical era, and the artist’s attention to detail conveys a sense of the sitter’s social standing and personal grace.
