John Wollaston, portrait of Martha Dandridge Custis, oil on canvas

Portraits

Englishman John Wollaston painted many of the leading figures of the American upper class in his time in America between 1749 and 1767, including Martha Dandridge Custis, her husband Daniel Parke Custis, and their children. Wollaston had a tendency to paint similar faces on all his subjects, but this portrait is still significant as the first known image of the future Martha Washington. It provides an important contrast with the typical image of Martha in the public mind as a plump, elderly matron (image courtesy of Lee Chapel and Museum, Washington & Lee University).

John Wollaston

1757

Lee Chapel and Museum, Washington & Lee University

eng

Wollaston, John. Martha Dandridge Custis Washington. 1757, oil on canvas. CAP Ref. 1951.117. Lee Chapel & Museum, Washington & Lee University.