The artwork, titled “Jane Breathitt Sappington,” was created by George Caleb Bingham in 1834 and falls under the art movement known as Naïve Art (Primitivism). This piece is a portrait that exemplifies the stylistic simplicity and directness characteristic of Naïve Art.
In the artwork, an elderly woman is depicted with a stern and composed expression. She is adorned in a dark, formal dress with a prominent, intricately detailed lace collar and a bonnet. The background is of a plain, muted tone, which serves to accentuate the meticulous attention given to the subject’s facial features and attire. The overall composition, while simple in its execution, conveys a dignified presence and a sense of solemnity, characteristic of portraiture from the period.
