Anchored in the annual rings of American art history, Sarah Goodridge, also known as Sarah Goodrich, hides the fascinating story of a self-taught talent that rose from the ashes of poverty and limitation. With a reputation as a virtuoso miniature portrait painter, she not only gained prestige and financial independence, but also impressed an entire generation of artists and art lovers. Born on February 5, 1788, Goodridge weaved her artistic legacy amid the picturesque landscape of Templeton, Massachusetts, and began to immortalize her vision on the unusual canvases of birch bark. Without access to conventional materials, but with an irrepressible urge to express herself through art, these initial sketches formed the foundation of her later work.

The barriers to education for women at that time and in her hometown made her a primarily self-taught artist. Nevertheless, she sought opportunities to further her education and refine her techniques. She accompanied her brother to Boston and was introduced to the world of art. Gilbert Stuart, an acclaimed portraitist, recognized her talent and encouraged her. In 1820, armed with her artistic passion and her first lessons from Boston, she decided to join her sister Eliza in Boston. Here she began her journey as a professional painter, painting miniature portraits and earning enough from commissioned work to support herself and her family. Goodridge specialized in miniatures painted on ivory, an art form she likely learned from Elkanah Tisdale, a Hartford miniaturist.

Over time, Sarah Goodridge filled the halls of Boston and Washington, D.C. with her beautiful works. Of particular note are her portraits of politician Daniel Webster and fellow artist Gilbert Stuart. One of her most famous works is the sensual yet discreet miniature portrait of her bared breasts, "Beauty Revealed," which she gave to her close friend and occasional model Daniel Webster in 1828. Despite the limitations of her eyesight in 1851, she left behind a remarkable collection of artwork, which is now being made available in the form of high-quality fine art prints. Sarah Goodridge's unique art and her outstanding ability to immortalize emotion in miniature portraits form the basis of the fine art prints we reproduce. We strive to preserve every detail of her original works with the utmost care and dedication to honor and present the legacy of this remarkable artist at the highest level. It is our pleasure to bring Sarah Goodridge's fascinating artwork into the hands of art lovers and collectors, and to share her compelling story with the world.