Mary Ann Goulding (Mrs. Thomas Goulding)

In the 1830s and 1840s, Elliott was New York City's preeminent portraitist. There are nine portraits by the artist in the Academy's collection. His likeness of "Mrs. Thomas Goulding," was donated to the institution in 1901 by a descendent of the sitter, and brilliantly conveys the artist's meticulous realism, which reflects the growing influence during the period of the daguerreotype on American portrait painting. The work was executed at Mrs. Goulding residence at 7th Avenue and 23rd Street. A friend of the artist commented that Mary Ann Goulding "in the picture wears much magnificence, including a gorgeous bonnet with ribbons, and previous to each sitting consumed hours in preparation of her person."