John Thomson (Edinburgh, 1837 - 1921, London)
Isabella Stewart Gardner, 1888
Platinum print on paper with autograph in ink, 24.5 x 20 cm (9 5/8 x 7 7/8 in.)
This vertical image of Isabella Stewart Gardner is done in shades of gray and black. Mrs. Gardner is seen from the knees up in a standing position and oriented slightly toward the viewers right. Her head is turned so that she looks directly at the viewer with a passive expression on her face. She has pale skin, small eyes and eyebrows, and her hair is pulled away from her face. She wears a dark long-sleeved high-necked gown made of brocade material with a row of small, covered buttons down the front. The dress has a small bustle at the back, and she holds her hands clasped in front. She wears a black hat with a small brim and large black flowers on the side to our right. Printed in ink in the lower left is: “J. Thomson” and in the lower right is: “70A Grosvenor St w”. Signed in ink in the lower right is: “Isabella/1888”.
Vatichino
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.