An online project under the direction of the CAPE ANN MUSEUM
Catalogue Entry
Caroline Stevens (1826–1886) was the second cousin and wife of Lane’s great friend Joseph Stevens Jr. Together they had five children, one of whom died very young.
This painting is a companion portrait to that of Joseph Jr. (Joseph Stevens, n.d. (inv. 39)) and is also unsigned. Stylistically it is very similar, more akin to a folk portrait than an accomplished society portrait. The Dutch influence is very strong with the mass of simple black clothing supporting the brilliant white collar and lace cap. Evidence of Lane’s hand is most likely seen in the detail around the eyes and in the very skillful highlighting of the edges of the lace cap, enlivening an otherwise rather drab and tight-lipped visage.
– Sam Holdsworth
- Subject Types
: - Portrait »
Historical Materials
top]
Caroline (Stevens) Foster Stevens (1826-1886) was the wife of Lane's good friend Joseph Stevens Jr. With her husband, she accompanied Lane on sketching expeditions around Gloucester. The back of indicates that it was a gift from Lane to Caroline Stevens in 1855. At his death, he left to her "the beautiful wreath of wax flowers (wrought by Mrs. Mary B. Mellen)."
The Gloucester family connections were many. Caroline and her husband were actually second cousins on the Stevens side. On the Foster side, Caroline's cousin, Julia Ann Foster, was married to Joseph Hooper, a friend of Joseph Stevens, Jr. and of Lane.
Caroline and Joseph had five children, one of whom died very young. Their daughter, Helen Stevens Babson, donated Dolliver's Neck and the Western Shore from Field Beach, 1857 (inv. 3) to the Cape Ann Museum.
Caroline and Joseph Stevens, Jr. are buried together in Oak Grove Cemetery in Gloucester; Lane is buried next to them.
Appendix G: Family Trees, in Sarah Dunlap and Stephanie Buck, Fitz Henry Lane: Family and Friends (Gloucester, MA: Church & Mason Publishing; in association with the Cape Ann Historical Museum, 2007), 164–66.
Also filed under: Stevens, Joseph, Jr. » // Stevens, Joseph, Sr. and Dorothy Little »
October 3, 1865 Essex County Probate Records, Volume 424, Leaves 34 & 35
The will disposed of Lane's property (including watch and diamond breast pin), his monetary assets, and gave to the city of Gloucester a painting of the Old Fort. Joseph Stevens, Jr. and T. Sewall Lancaster were named executors. It was signed by Lane on March 10, 1865.
Also filed under: Chronology » // Davidson, Dr. Herman Elvas » // Documents / Objects » // Funeral & Burial » // Galacar, Elizabeth » // Lancaster, T. Sewall » // Mellen, Mary Blood » // Page, Eben » // Stevens, Joseph, Jr. » // Wilbur, Horace B. »
People
