Portrait of Helen Clay Frick

This portrait shows Helen Clay Frick, founder of the Frick Art & Historical Center, at about 16. Chartran had become friends with the Fricks when they visited France in the 1890s. He even visited the Fricks in Pittsburgh. Henry Clay Frick commissioned several portraits from him and introduced him to other Pittsburghers who also commissioned works. Chartran’s bright colors and fluid brushwork are well suited to his teen subject, yet in this idealized image of Gilded Age femininity we see no hint of the serious young woman Helen was known to be.