1821 - 1861
James Frothingham was presumably his daughter's principal--probably only--instructor. A miniature painter, she first exhibited in the Academy annual of 1837, when she was just sixteen years old, and continued to be represented frequently in the exhibitions through 1845. She also showed her miniatures in the Boston Athenaeum in 1841, Boston Art Association in 1843, and the Brooklyn (New York) Institute exhibitions held in October of 1843, 1845 and 1846. These signals of Miss Frothingham's active pursuit of a career and her election to the Academy, which attests to her status as a professional, are all that is known of her.
Sarah Frothingham was initially elected an Associate of the Academy in 1840, but apparently forfeited membership by not presenting a portrait of herself within one year of election. On her second election, five years later, this portrait by her father secured her place. She and Margaret Bogardus, although not the first women voted into the Academy, were the first to be elected after the 1839 addition to the by-laws requiring Associates to present portraits of themselves, making their diploma images the first tangible representations of the feminine membership.
According to the Academy's records, the reverse of this canvas, which is now obscured by a mounting panel, carries the inscription, "Miss S. C. Frothingham painted by James Frothingham 1846."
Sarah Frothingham was initially elected an Associate of the Academy in 1840, but apparently forfeited membership by not presenting a portrait of herself within one year of election. On her second election, five years later, this portrait by her father secured her place. She and Margaret Bogardus, although not the first women voted into the Academy, were the first to be elected after the 1839 addition to the by-laws requiring Associates to present portraits of themselves, making their diploma images the first tangible representations of the feminine membership.
According to the Academy's records, the reverse of this canvas, which is now obscured by a mounting panel, carries the inscription, "Miss S. C. Frothingham painted by James Frothingham 1846."
