Portrait of the Artist's Wife, Margaret Cecilia Keenan
circa 1886-7
Frederick Warren Freer captured his wife, Margaret, in this striking 1880s portrait, where she sits poised with an air of quiet confidence. Dressed in a sleek, off-the-shoulder black gown and long gloves, she holds a dramatic, oversized fan adorned with colorful, buzzing insects right across her chest. The contrast between her pale, serene face and the dark, fluttering fan creates a captivating visual tension typical of the Academic style. It’s a beautiful glimpse into Gilded Age portraiture, blending formal elegance with a touch of whimsical nature.