Description:
Large memorial silhouette of Ruth Dickinson Sanderson (born April 20, 1829 - died August 12, 1830) of Whately, Massachusetts, Ruth was the daughter of Asa Sanderson and Naomi Dickinson, both of Whately; Ruth and her parents' families are listed in James Craft's "History of the Town of Whately" (1899), life-size hollow-cut bust-length silhouette with ink and watercolor details on paper, 14 ½ x 9 ¾ inches, sight. Cut serrated edges to the chest and back of the silhouette, brown crayon, watercolor, and pencil define the hair and curls on the child's head; inscribed below with name, date of death, "Ruth Dickinson/ Sanderson Died Aug. 12/ 1830" and a poetic passage of remembrance beneath the phrase “sweet child.” The inscription is as follows: "Sweet Babe!/ She glanc'd into our world to see/ A sample of our misery,/ Then turn'd away her languid eye,/ To drop a tear or two, and die -/ Sweet Babe!/ She tasted of life's bitter cup,/Refus'd to drink the portion up,/ But turn'd her little head aside,/ Disgusted with the taste and died./ Sweet Babe!/ She listen'd for a while to hear/ Our mortal griefs, then turn'd her ear/ To Angels' harps and songs, and cried/ To join their notes celestial sighed and died - / Sweet Babe!/ Sweet Babe no more but seraph now;/ Before the throne behold her bow;/ Her soul enlarg'd to Angel size, / Adores the grace that brought her there." This poem called "Sweet Babe" was written by Allan Cunningham (1784-1842).
Label Text:
This large silhouette memorializes Ruth Dickinson Sanderson (born April 20, 1829 - died August 12, 1830) of Whately, Massachusetts. Her parents, Asa Sanderson and Naomi Dickinson, had it made for their beloved one-year-old daughter. In addition to capturing Ruth’s likeness, the poem Sweet Babe written by Allan Cunningham (1784-1842) is inscribed below it. The poem of remembrance reads: "Sweet Babe!/ She glanc'd into our world to see/ A sample of our misery,/ Then turn'd away her languid eye,/ To drop a tear or two, and die -/ Sweet Babe!/ She tasted of life's bitter cup,/Refus'd to drink the portion up,/ But turn'd her little head aside,/ Disgusted with the taste and died./ Sweet Babe!/ She listen'd for a while to hear/ Our mortal griefs, then turn'd her ear/ To Angels' harps and songs, and cried/ To join their notes celestial sighed and died - / Sweet Babe!/ Sweet Babe no more but seraph now;/ Before the throne behold her bow;/ Her soul enlarg'd to Angel size, / Adores the grace that brought her there."
Tags:
portraits; deaths; mourning; poetry Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2017.37 |
