The artwork titled “The Goldfish Bowl (Mrs. Richard Cary Morse and Family)” was created by Samuel Morse in approximately 1835. Executed in oil on panel, this piece belongs to the Romanticism art movement and falls under the genres of portrait and genre painting. The artwork is currently housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC, US.
In this tranquil domestic scene, a refined woman is seated in an opulent red chair, meticulously adorned with a lace collar and a flowing gown in shades of blue and white, which captures the elegance characteristic of 19th-century attire. Cradling a child clothed in a delicate pink dress on her lap, the interaction between the two figures evokes a tender familial bond. Beside them, an intricately designed table host a glass bowl with goldfish, symbolizing domesticated nature, maybe hinting at the tranquil and leisurely aspects of home life. At their feet, another child sits engrossed with an open book, donning a simple yet dignified brown dress. The setting is intimate, accentuated by rich architectural details such as columns and a polished tiled floor, imbuing the composition with depth and sophistication. The warm, muted tones and careful attention to detail reflect the Romantic ideal of beauty and emotion, creating an atmosphere that is both serene and dignified.
