Mary Thomas, the Artist's second Wife

Mary Thomas, the Artist's Second Wife from 1781 is a personal portrait by Johann Zoffany of his spouse, painted with the intimacy reserved for family subjects. Mary Thomas was Zoffany's second wife, whom he married in 1779, and this portrait captures their relationship through the artist's characteristically precise but affectionate rendering. Characteristic of the artist's mature approach, the work displays meticulous detail in costume and setting, warm intimate lighting, vivid individual characterization that preserves the energy of live performance.

The personal nature of the commission lends the portrait a warmth and intimacy beyond Zoffany's typical formal portraits, with careful attention to his wife's individual features and expression.