Woman in Robert’s Chair

The woman in this painting is dressed in a gown that was fashionable in the 1830s, with its dropped shoulders, narrow belted waist, and iconic ballooned gigot sleeves that are stuffed with removable down plumpers. Peaking out behind her is the crest rail of a stenciled chair. The informal title given to this painting by a past owner refers to a "Robert's Chair," which may refer to Samuel Roberts (active 1800-1838) of Colebrook, Connecticut who produced similar stenciled chairs, or possibly to a cabinetmaker in New Hampshire, where this portrait was made.