Mrs. Joseph White (Elizabeth Stone)

Art Historical Context

In the early 19th century, miniatures like *Mrs. Joseph White (Elizabeth)* by William Verstille captured the elegance of American Federal-era society in intimate, jewel-like form. Painted around 1802, this delicate watercolor on ivory measures just 2¼ x 1¾ inches, small enough to wear as a locket or brooch. Verstille, a Boston-basedist active from the 1790s to 1805, specialized in these tiny treasures, which served as cherished mementos for loved ones separated by travel or loss during a time of national expansion. The medium of watercolor on ivory was ideal for such works, offering a smooth,...