Letitia Morehead Walker

 

Letitia was the eldest daughter of Gov. and Mrs. Morehead. She was educated at the Greensboro Female Academy under Mary Ann Hoye, and married William Walker in 1848, and they had three children before his untimely death in 1855. She then moved her family back to Blandwood while managing her Point Plantation in Davidson County. Letitia is documented as a member of the faculty of the nearby Edgeworth Female Academy where she served as an art instructor. Browne painted this portrait of Letitia in 1869, years after her parents died. It is more stylized than Gov. and Mrs. Morehead’s portraits, which seems to represent Letitia’s sophisticated interests. The background of this portrait is reminiscent of the Grand Manner style, with its dramatic landscape and Classical architecture.

The portrait’s colorful and engaging style reflects the outgoing nature of its subject. She was a devoted historian and member of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, working as its Vice-Regent representing North Carolina. Browne captures her artistic nature by portraying her in a dramatic twilight setting with flowers adorning her hair as she holds an exotic decorative fan.

 

Detail of Letitia’s Portrait