Henrietta Johnston Early 18th.Century American Colonial Pastel Portrait Of A Young Woman Circa.1720

Henrietta Johnston Ca.1674-1729. Pastel Portrait of a young woman. Circa.1720. 24 by 30 cms image. 33 by 39 cms. Overall in 19th.Century gilt gesso frame.

Henrietta de Beaulieu Johnston was a pastellist of Hugenot origin active in the English Colonies in North America from approximately 1708 until her death at Charleston in 1729. She is both the earliest recorded female artist and the first known pastellist working in the English colonies, and is the first portraitist known to have worked in what would become the Southern United States. Works by Johnston are rare. The period, style, execution and size format is entirely typical of her work.