American Art Collaborative

Alexander Rose and his wife, the former Margaret Smith, both had their portraits painted in miniature by Pierre Henri, and both are in this collection [see 1946.11.6 and 1933.7.1]. Mrs. Rose’s father was a prominent New York Loyalist, Judge William Smith, and Margaret was his thirteenth child. This sitter may be the husband of one of Margaret’s sisters. The miniature was meant to be worn as part of a bracelet, and the pierced edges of the mount were used to attach the wristband much like today’s wristwatch. Conservation of this miniature was made possible through a generous grant provided by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee