Dolley Payne Madison (née Dolley Payne, formerly Dolley Payne Todd, 1772–1849) Artist: Unknown

ca. 1805–10

American Paintings and Sculpture

Not on view


Married to James Madison, fourth president of the United States, Dolley Madison was the first lady from 1809 to 1817. Prior to this, James Madison served as secretary of state during Thomas Jefferson’s administration (1800–1808), at which time Dolley often acted as unofficial first lady to the widower Jefferson, helping to furnish the new White House and occasionally participating in ceremonial functions. Here Dolley is depicted wearing a fashionable turban and a white empire dress.

Medium

Watercolor on ivory

Dimensions

2 3/8 × 1 7/8 in. (6 × 4.8 cm)

Credit Line

Lelia A. and John Hill Morgan, B.A. 1893, LL.B. 1896, M.A. (Hon.) 1929, Collection

Accession Number

1940.512

Geography

Made in United States

Culture

American

Period

19th century

Classification

Miniatures

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

miniatures (paintings), portraits

Subject

dresses fashion first ladies hair hairstyles women

Technical metadata and APIs

IIIF

Open in Mirador

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