RACHAEL MOORE ALLSTON

Charlestonians lavished their wealth on houses, furniture, silver, and paintings. In addition to Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774) and John Wollaston (w. 1742-1775), the American-born and European-trained painter Henry Benbridge also worked in Charleston. By the time Benbridge arrived in Charleston in 1772, Theus had retired and Wollaston had returned to England. Benbridge quickly found himself with numerous commissions including that of Rachel Moore Allston (1757-1839), the mother of artist Washington Allston (1770-1843). Benbridge's portrait of Allston reveals his training in Italy where he studied in the studio of Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787) and adopted the neoclassical style of Grand Tour portraiture. The deep blue of Allston’s vaguely antique portrait dress, and the sideways glance of the sitter reflect the more somber neoclassical influence that quickly became the preferred style among Charleston's patrons in the years leading up to the Revolution.