Image scanned and/or photographed, then color-corrected by Pat Cagney.

Eliza Andrews Higgins

Artist Cephas Thompson (American, 1775-1856)

Dateca. 1812

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsOverall: 30 x 25 in. (76.2 x 63.5 cm)
Overall, Frame: 36 1/2 x 31 1/2 in. (92.7 x 80 cm)

ClassificationsAmerican art

Credit LineGift of Thomas R. McNamara

Object number2001.13.1

Terms

Woman
Portrait
White
Black
Brown
Peach
Pink
Gold
Yellow
Portrait
Norfolk, Virginia

On View

On view

DescriptionThis is an oil on canvas painting of Eliza Andrews Higgins, wife of Eugene Higgins. She wears a white empire dress with a brooch in the middle of her chest. Around her elbows she has a peach sash. She was the daughter of the noted Norfolk silversmith Jeremiah Andrews.

Label TextCephas Thompson American, 1775–1856 Eliza Andrews Higgins, ca. 1812 Oil on canvas The elegantly dressed Eliza Higgins lived in Norfolk, where she had her portrait painted by the traveling artist Cephas Thompson. The artist made the most of his time in the city. He painted 104 portraits of its prominent citizens, including those of shipping merchant Moses Myers and his wife, Eliza Myers, whose house still stands in downtown Norfolk. Eliza Higgins was the daughter of one of the city’s leading silversmiths, Jeremiah Andrews, who likely created the pearl-encrusted belt buckle and jeweled pin featured in her portrait. Gift of Thomas R. McNamara 2001.13.1