Thomas Sully - Portrait of Mary Anne Heide Norris [1830]

Thomas Sully - Portrait of Mary Anne Heide Norris [1830], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

Thomas Sully painted this portrait of Mary Anne Heide Norris along with a pendant portrait of her husband, William, five years after their marriage. Mrs. Norris's idealised likeness demonstrates the artist's interest in varying textures, as seen in the contrasts among her satin dress, fur stole, and porcelain skin. Set in a landscape with a dramatic sky, Mrs. Norris is sheltered by a high wall that harmoniously echoes the curvature of her figure and clothing.

[Philadelphia Museum of Art - Oil on canvas, 77 x 64.1 cm]