Elizabeth Coburn Courtney

Elizabeth Coburn Courtney

James Earl
Charleston, South Carolina
1794–1796
Oil on canvas
71.100
Gift of Lida R. and Charles H. Tompkins Foundation

Elizabeth Courtney’s economic power is on full display in her portrait. The expenses that went into purchasing the chair in which she sits, the lace and jewelry around her neck, and the gown in which she is dressed would have been understood by her contemporaries viewing her portrait.

Women seldom could express themselves in portraiture. Husbands and fathers often inserted themselves in the decision-making process when it came to commissioning portraits. Emphasizing economic status was the predominant way wealthy women were portrayed.