Jennie Byrd Bryan (Primary Title)
Mrs. John Barton Payne (Alternate Title)
George P. A. Healy, American, 1813 - 1894 (Artist)
Acclaimed mid-century portraitist George Healy was personally acquainted with the sitter, Jennie Byrd Bryan, a student of his in Chicago. Healy had painted her as a child, but here she sits at an easel, portraying him. In the background, a large harp resembles one known to have been in the Healy residence. The combination of art and music suggests the artistic “accomplishments” that were an important part of a young woman’s education at this time. Bryan later married John Barton Payne, VMFA’s founding patron, whose 1919 gift of art to the Commonwealth formed the core of the museum’s collection. This painting was one of nine by Healy included in that gift.
Upper right: "GPA Healy 1874"
Gift of John Barton Payne
"Healy's Sitters" Virgina Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond (24 January - 5 March, 1950) no. 16.
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
