The artwork titled “Catherine Brass Yates (Mrs. Richard Yates)” was created by the renowned artist Gilbert Stuart during the years 1793 to 1794. This piece, executed in oil on canvas, epitomizes the Rococo art movement and falls into the genre of portraiture. It is currently housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, United States.
The artwork portrays a dignified woman, dressed in a modest and elegant attire, which was typical for the period. She wears a bonnet adorned with ribbon, and her attire appears to be made of luxurious fabric, suggested by the delicate rendering of light and texture. The composition is intimate yet formal, with the woman engaging in the act of sewing, which signifies domestic virtue and industriousness. The neutral background allows for the subject’s features and attire to stand out, emphasizing the delicate brushwork and the subtle gradations of light and shadow employed by Stuart to infuse the portrait with a lifelike presence. The sitter’s composed expression and sidelong glance add a layer of depth, capturing not merely her appearance but also an essence of her personality.
