Hera

Details

Descriptive Terms

pastels (visual works)
pastels (crayons)
panels (wood)
Picture
Portrait
Portrait

Label

"Artful Stories": This painting descended in the Norton family whose members had deep connections to European artists and intellectuals. The London trained artist of this painting developed similar transatlantic connections when she married American journalist W. J. Stillman.
After her marriage Stillman lived in Italy where she immersed herself in Renaissance culture. She painted dreamlike images of women that epitomized her generation’s notion of ideal beauty—long limbs and fingers, flowing red hair. Here her model holds a pomegranate and peacock feather, both attributes of the goddess Hera. As Hera was the patron of brides, this may have been intended as a wedding gift.

Maker

Stillman, Marie Euphrosyne, 1844-1927 (Artist)

Location of Origin

Rome, Italy

Dimensions

28 1/4 x 24 5/8 (HxW) (inches)

Credit Line

Bequest of Susan Norton

Accession Number

1990.202