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The
following is the text that Ann Hanscom wrote for the painting
and floral design entry.
Mrs. Perez Morton, painted by Gilbert Stuart, American.
Floral design by Ann Hanscom and Virginia Deselms, Blackstone
Valley Gardeners.
The complex expression of sorrow and thoughtfulness on Sarah Morton's
face, as well as the body language contrast between the pentimento
arms around her torso, and the still unfinished depiction of arms
uplifted, were immediately alluring. Gilbert Stuart, whose more
familiar portraits are clinically detailed and unrevealing of
the persona within, displays here an unabashed involvement beyond
the customary portraiture of the time. Research into Mrs. Morton's
personal history uncovers a story of a Loyalist turned Patiort;
a poet whose work championed the Native American, questioned slavery,
and philosohpized over issues of family commitment, betrayal and
forgiveness, longevity and death. We hope our interpretive design
addresses Sarah Morton's expressed polarity-is she veiled or unveiling,
inviting intimacy or rebuffing it, mournful or joyous? |
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