Philinda Parsons Rand (85.34.1)

Half-length, oil on canvas portrait of Philinda Parsons Rand of Bedford, New Hampshire.

Rand is set against a solid, dark-colored background. She faces forward gazing straight with her head slightly tilted proper left. She sits in a dark red armchair with her elbow (viewer's left) resting upon the arm and she holds her hand with her fingers resting below her chin and her pointer finger touching the upper part of her jaw. She has brown hair, parted in the middle, and drawn back behind the ears. Only her right ear is visible. She has arched brows and dark-colored, almond-shaped eyes, a long nose with a wide bridge, rosy cheeks and red, full lips. She wears a black gown with a cinched waist, long sleeves and a scoop neck with a pointed, triangular design encircling the neckline.

Provenance Narrative Philinda Parsons Rand (1811-1832) was born in Bedford, New Hampshire. She was the sister of the artist, John Goffe Rand. She attended the Hampden Ladies Seminary, where school records indicate she was a brilliant student. She became ill with a 'brain fever' and died at the seminary, age 20.

Place Made United States NEW HAMPSHIRE Manchester

Signatures/Marks STRETCHER MADE BY THOMAS MORE ASSOCIATES (address listed) WASHINGTON DC 20009 (phone number listed) Inscription: Stamped on lower back of stretcher