Cornelia Minturn

Periodca. 1855 - 1860

MediumWatercolor on paper, glass, velvet and silk case frame

DimensionsImage: 3.38 × 2.75 in. (8.6 × 7 cm)

InscribedA pencil inscription handwritten on lined paper is tucked into the frame case and reads "Aunt Cornelia Minturn / Penelope " [Minturn] her sis- / ter."

ClassificationsPortrait Miniatures & Silhouettes

Credit LineGift of Mary Minturn Adams in memory of her Hartshorne Ancestors, 2018

Object number2018.10.7

DescriptionAn oval miniature in watercolor on paper of Cornelia Minturn, set beneath glass bezel with a molded gold inner frame within a green velvet covered hinged case. Cornelia poses in a 3/4 view facing left. Blue eyed, ruddy cheeked Cornelia wears her dark brown hair parted in the center and smoothed over her ears into a low coil at the back of her neck, trimmed with a long fall of black lace. The sitter's wide necked black dress is covered by a wide white lace cape held in place by a gold oval brooch. A rose colored shawl drapes casually over her arms. The background is a faint pale blue.
Curatorial RemarksThe portrait of Cornelia Minturn (1812 - 1882) was executed by the same unknown artist who produced the portrait of her sister Penelope Minturn (1801 - 1873) and appear to have been done at the same time, sometime between 1855 and 1860. Both sitters' likenesses were captured in watercolor on paper, making them relatively inexpensive portraits. Nonetheless, the artist was talented and clearly able to record the sisters' individuality and fashion choices. Both miniature likenesses are in virtually identical cases, Cornelia's covered in emerald green velvet, Penelope's in maroon velvet. Please see the portrait of Penelope Minturn (accession number 2018.10.8.)NotesCornelia Minturn (13 June 1812 - September 1882) was one of eleven children of Benjamin Greene Minturn (1771 - 1845) and Mary Bowne (1774 - 1852). Benjamin, the son of William Minturn (1738 - 1799) and Penelope Greene (1746 - 1821), was born in Newport, Rhode Island. The family moved to New York City in 1791. Cornelia's sister, Mary Ann Minturn (1802 - 1861), married Robert Hartshorne (1798 - 1872), who was also a first cousin to Cornelia's and Mary Ann's mother Elizabeth. Seven of the Minturn siblings, including Cornelia, remained unmarried. The family members were close, and Cornelia accompanied her sister Mary Ann Minturn Hartshorne, along with their brothers Charles and Robert Bowne Minturn, on a trip to Europe between 1842 and 1843. Cornelia's portrait appears to have been done between 1855 and about 1860. Her dark hair is worn in two smoothly arranged wings on either side of her head, with a glimpse of fine black lace arranged in graceful gathers, a popular method of hair ornamentation at this time. The clear pink of Cornelia's shawl, most likely silk, echoes the delicate pink of her cheeks. This portrait, as well as one of Penelope's sister Cornelia, were most likely done as gifts for Cornelia's and Penelope's sister Mary Ann Minturn Hartshorne (1802 - 1861).

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