Hepzibah Clark Swan ca.1806
Museum of Fine Arts,
Boston
from "Gilbert Stuart“
(Metropolitan Museum of Art) By Carrie Reborra Barratt and Ellen Miles 2004 p296
Hepzibah
Clark Swan (1757-1825) turned heads, it seems, at home in Boston and
abroad. She was noticed on the streets
of London in the 1790s, “arrayed in all the elegance of the French capital, and
attracting every eye by her grace and fancied resemblance to the ill-fated
Marie Antoinette, daintily attired, with a self-possession and assurance which
her companions vainly endeavored to acquire...” (Martha Amory, The Domestic and
Artistic Life of John Singleton Copely, pub 1882). Mrs Swan was indeed conspicuous, in society, in politics, and in
the lives of a number of men, including Gilbert Stuart, who had her to thank
for plum commissions, countless connections, and even a place to live. Before the age of twenty, she had inherited
vast fortunes from her father, the merchant Barnabas Clark*, and from a close
family friend William Dennie, giving her the wherewithal to live in the matter
to which she was not merely accustomed but, some would say, destined. Cosmopolitan and intelligent, a devoted
friend and watchful parent, Madame Swan—as she was known—was charismatic, not
least because of her money but in good measure because of her charm.
*Barnabas Clark* father of Hepzibah, wealthy merchant, who provided a lavish lifestyle for his daughter----(Merchants ie Samuel Meeker were considered men of honor since their word needed to be trusted. Samuel Meeker also bought and sold items shipped to and from England.)
Occupation: 1740, Shipmaster; sailing from Boston to London and the
Provinces
The Boston Gazette of May 15, 1768, has the following: Imported in the
London Packet, Capt. Calef, from London, and to be sold by Barnabas Clarke at
his store on Treats Wharf, Boston, near the market at the lowest rates: --Bohen
Tea by the chest or less quantity; Pepper by the bag or ditto; Spices of all
kinds; Best Durham Mustard by the box; Russia, English and Ravens Duck; Gun
powder by the cask. Also Kippen's Snuff by the cask; best French Indigo;
Pimento; Ground and Race Ginger; Muscovado Sugar; Philadelphia Flour; Bar
Iron;Iron Hoops; Anchors."
From Lawrence Park:
She was Hepzibah Clark, daughter of Barnabas and Hepzibah (Barrett)
Clark, and married in 1776 James Swan.
Boston, c 1807. She is shown at half-length, three-quarters left, seated
on an Empire sofa upholstered in brilliant crimson velvet, with her hazel eyes
directed to the spectator. Her very
dark reddish-brown hair is in ringlets on her forehead and in front of her
ears. Her complexion is ruddy, with
high color on her cheeks. She wears a
high-waisted black velvet grown, cut low and square in the neck, with short
sleeves, the sleeves and neck of the dress being trimmed with white pointed
lace, that on the sleeves being double with the points above and below. A white lace scarf rests on top of her head,
and falling over her right shoulder, lies on her lap, and entirely conceals the
right arm and hand. The left forearm
rests upon the arm of the sofa, the hand holding the scarf and the concealed
right hand. A small pin with a garnet
shows at the waist. The background is
plain and of a grayish-olive.
MORE ON MADAME SWAN
NEXT more on the Swans, Stuart portrait of James Swan...& his fate in prison...
