Portrait of Susan Coren Towers

Portrait of Susan Coren Towers by James Peale: Susan Coren Towers was the daughter of a major in the Revolutionary War, and her husband…

What to notice

In Portrait of Susan Coren Towers, start with classical, portrait, figurative. Then look closely at this museum-described detail: While little is known about Towers outside of her husband’s and father’s pursuits, Peale painted her with slightly asymmetrical clothing, bouncy curls, and a slight smirk, possible hints at her personality.

Discover

Susan Coren Towers was the daughter of a major in the Revolutionary War, and her husband was a successful woolen goods manufacturer. While little is known about Towers outside of her husband’s and father’s pursuits, Peale painted her with slightly asymmetrical clothing, bouncy curls, and a slight smirk, possible hints at her personality. While many portrait miniatures have compartments containing the sitter’s hair, this example holds hair from two individuals, likely Towers and a loved one.