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The Indian Princess

ca. 1750
Not on view
This piece is one of five known versions of this design completed by young ladies at school in Boston. All feature the rather large upright shepherdess with her smaller shepherd suitor in a black hat to one side. The Museum’s shepherdess traditionally has been called the Indian Princess because of what appears to be a feathered headdress peeking out from behind her hair. In the eighteenth century an Indian princess was an understood symbol for the American colonies.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Indian Princess
  • Date: ca. 1750
  • Geography: Made in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Wool and silk on linen, embroidered
  • Dimensions: 10 3/4 x 13 3/4 in. (27.3 x 34.9 cm)
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Screven Lorillard, 1953
  • Object Number: 53.179.13
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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