Mary Ward Betts

Henry Inman

Cleveland Museum of Art

Mary Ward Betts, painted by Henry Inman, is a portrait of a woman with fair skin and brown eyes. She has dark brown hair styled up, with some loose strands framing her face. The subject wears a white dress with a low, off-the-shoulder neckline; the dress appears to be made of satin or silk. A teal shawl or sash is draped over her left shoulder and across her back; it appears to be made of a shiny material. On her left wrist, she wears a gold bracelet. The woman's right arm is bent at the elbow, with her hand touching her left shoulder. The background includes a large urn on a pedestal to her left and some foliage to her right. The overall color palette of the painting is subdued, with earth tones dominating the background. The subject is posed against a backdrop that suggests an outdoor setting, possibly a garden or a park.