Matilda Stoughton de Jaudenes
1794
Step into the glamorous world of 1794 high society with this portrait of Matilda Stoughton de Jaudenes by Gilbert Stuart. She is decked out in the ultimate fashion statement of the era: a towering hat adorned with massive feathers and a shimmering white gown embroidered with gold florals. Stuart, best known for his iconic portraits of George Washington, captures her poised elegance as she holds a fan beside a stack of books, hinting at both her style and her intellect. The dramatic, swirling red drapery behind her adds a theatrical touch to this neoclassical gem.