Images(3)

For Eunice Pinney

Eunice Griswold Holcombe Pinney (American, 1770–1849)

1813

Medium/TechniqueWatercolor and pricking on paper

DimensionsSheet: 41.9 x 48.9 cm (16 1/2 x 19 1/4 in.) oval
Framed: 56.8 x 69.9 cm (22 3/8 x 27 1/2 in.) oval

Credit LineGift of Maxim Karolik for the M. and M. Karolik Collection of American Watercolors and Drawings, 1800–1875

Accession number60.472

On View

Not on view

ClassificationsWatercolors

Collections

InscriptionsInscribed on tomb, in brown ink: In memory of / Eunice Pinney, who died aged . / We want but little; nor that little, long; / How soon must we resign our verry dust, / Which frugal nature lent us for an hour, / What, tho we wade in wealth, or soar in fame? / Earth's highest station ends in, "Here he lies, / And "Dust to dust" concludes her noblest song. / Heav'n gives the needful but neglected call / What day, what hour, but knocks at human hearts / To wake the soul to sing [?] of future scenes" The inscription reads: "For Oliver Hector Holcombe if he will get it framed: / Dear children pray now and then cast / A sorrowful thought upon me / You see where you'r coming at last / Prepare you for eternity / This piece is the product of one week. Finished / by your disponding mother June 13- 1813 / Who worships the great God; that instant joints / The first in heav'n, and sets foot on hell./Faith builds a bridge from this world to the next, / O'r death's dark gulf; and all its horror hides;"

Provenance1960, gift of Maxim Karolik (b. 1893 - d. 1963), Newport, RI, to the MFA. (Accession Date: April 14, 1960)