Miniature portrait of Mary (Smith) Gray Otis (1757-1842)

Details

Descriptive Terms

miniatures (paintings)
ivory (tooth component)
leather
silk (textile)
Painting

Label

This haunting miniature portrait of Mary (Smith) Gray Otis, painted after her husband Samuel Allyne Otis's death in 1814, shows the grieving widow in black and white clothing, wearing jet earrings.

Inscription

Label: "MANUFACTURED / by James Dyer / Up the Court / Opposite the Old South / BOSTON"
Note: "Mary Smith Daughter of Issac & Elizabeth Smith / born 28th. Feb. 1757. Mar.d to Edward Gray / " " Samuel Allyne Otis / Had two daughters by the 2.d mar.ge / Harriet & Mary Otis / Harriet b. Dec.r 12.th. 1787. d. Ap.l 17.th 1826/ Mrs. Otis d. Ap.l 18. 1842 / Mary Born 1794 / died 1869" (Label and note)

Associated Person

Otis, Mary Smith, 1757-1842
Otis, Samuel Allyne, 1740-1814

Additional Identification Number

3372

Maker

Attributed to Goodridge, Sarah, 1788-1853 (Miniaturist)
Dyer, James (Framer)

Location of Origin

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, New England

Dimensions

3 3/4 x 2 7/8 x 5/8 (HxWxD) (inches)

Credit Line

Gift of Miss Gertrude Townsend

Accession Number

1956.128

Places

Massachusetts (United States)
Boston (Suffolk county, Massachusetts)