Justine Van Rensselaer Townsend
This charming miniature portrait depicts Justine Van Rensselaer Townsend as statuesque, contemplative, and dignified. The portrait captures her at the age of 64, in her second year as Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association. Originally from Albany, New York, Mrs. Townsend served as Vice Regent from that state from 1876. Mrs. Townsend was elected Regent in 1891 and continued in this role until her resignation from the board in 1909. She remained involved at Mount Vernon as Honorary Regent from 1909 until her death in 1912. While on the board, Mrs. Townsend raised funds for preservation, and was instrumental in the restoration of the mansion’s New Room after the ceiling collapsed. As Regent, Mrs. Townsend was involved in upgrading fire protection and stabilizing the riverfront at the estate, as well as investing the Association’s financial resources.
The background has a brilliant blue sky and clouds in tones of gray and white.
The miniature is encased in a copper alloy frame. On the reverse of the case is an empty hair reserve, lined with off-white watered silk. The hanging loop on top is engraved PICKSLAY & CO. N.Y. The miniature is housed within a triptych-style case of red morocco leather which has an easel back and 2 hinged doors on the front.
SignedSigned on proper left background, in white paint, above the sitter’s shoulder: “CT/1892”.
Published ReferencesStephen A. McLeod and Carol Borchert Cadou, Mount Vernon Ladies Association: 150 Years of Restoring George Washington's Home (Mount Vernon, Va.: Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 2010), 82-83.
Julie Aronson and Marjorie E. Weisman, Perfect Likeness: European and American Portrait Miniatures From The Cincinnati Art Museum (New Haven: Yale, 2006), 308-309. (General Reference.)
