Susannah or Mary Bontecou

John Durand

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Durand wished to paint historical subjects but settled for portraits, advertising that “his humble attempts, in which his best Endeavours will not be wanting, will meet with Acceptance, and give satisfaction.” This portrait most likely portrays Susannah, the wife of Peter Bontecou, who was also painted by Durand. It may, though, be a portrait of his sister, Mary.

The American Wing

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The American Wing's ever-evolving collection comprises some 20,000 works of art by African American, Euro American, Latin American, and Native American men and women. Ranging from the colonial to early-modern periods, the holdings include painting, sculpture, works on paper, and decorative arts—including furniture, textiles, ceramics, glass, silver, metalwork, jewelry, basketry, quill and bead embroidery—as well as historical interiors and architectural fragments.

Metropolitan Museum of Art