Eliza Andrews Higgins
Artist
Cephas Thompson
(American, 1775-1856)
CultureAmerican
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)
Overall, Frame: 36 1/2 x 31 1/2 in. (92.7 x 80 cm)
Credit LineGift of Thomas R. McNamara
Object number2001.13.1
On View
Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 209
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 ProvenanceDescended through the family, 1812-2001 (this portrait was of the donor's Grandmother's grandparents); Gift of Thomas R. McNamara to the Chrysler Museum of Art, 2001. Exhibition History"Classical Traditions at the Moses Myers House," Moses Myers House, Norfolk, VA, April 17 - December 1, 2013. "The Norfolk Rooms," Willoughby-Baylor House, Norfolk, VA, opened August 16, 2014.Published ReferencesDeborah L. Sisum, "'A Most Favorable and Striking Resemblance': The Virginia Portraits of Cephas Thompson," _Journal of Early Southern Decorative Arts_ 23 (Summer 1997): 48, 74.
Franklin P. Burnham
Pair/Pair