Portrait of Ann Wyeth

As a budding portraitist, Henriette Wyeth was surrounded by ready models within her own family, painting many of them more than once. In this early portrait of her youngest sister, Ann, the sixteen-year-old Henriette gives an indication of the direction her career will take. Henriette’s modern approach to portraiture uses impressionistic brushstrokes, leaving the colors unblended in areas. The result is a youthful innocence that matches the sitter’s own spirit. Nearly 20 years later, a more mature portrait of Ann sets her against a dark background, wearing a dark dress, with her eyes cast down.