Mrs.

Elizabeth Freake and Baby Mary

By Anonymous

List of what you see literally (explicit) List of what you see figuratively (implicit)
1. What does this portrayal of a mother and her child tell you about early New England attitudes
toward children and child raising? Use evid3ence from the painting to support your
interpretation.
2. Strict Puritan New Englanders followed sumptuary laws that forbade them to wear bright colors
and ornate materials. How do you explain the outfits of the mother and daughter portrayed
here? Hint: consider the social and economic status of the subjects.
3. Art historian Milton Brown has described this painting as having a surprisingly authentic
psychological mood. Explain what that mood is and cite details in the portrait that contribute to
it. (what do you think psychological mood is? Start there. Next, what about the period?)
Next, write an analysis of the portrait and what it reveals of the time. Consider: family relationships,
morals, values, politics, education, etc