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“Lips that lover has never kissed; / Taper fingers and slender wrist; / Hanging sleeves of stiff brocade; / So they painted the little maid. / On her hand a parrot green / Sits unmoving and broods serene”

—Oliver Wendell Holmes, “Dorothy Q.: A Family Portrait,” 1871

Dorothy Q.

This unsigned painting depicts a young Dorothy Quincy (1709–1762) of Braintree, Massachusetts. It dates to about 1720 and is likely the work of an American artist. It was bequeathed to the MHS by Quincy’s great-great-grandson, Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., in 1936.


In 1871, Dorothy Quincy’s great-grandson, physician and poet, Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809–1894), penned Dorothy Q. an ode to this portrait, containing musings on the young girl’s life and his connection to her through time.


Read more about Dorothy’s family and her life. Read the full text of “Dorothy Q.: A Family Portrait.”

On View

Boston Views: Through the Lens of Arthur A. Shurcliff


Arthur A. Shurcliff (1870–1957), a landscape architect, created a collection of 1,295 glass lantern slides that depict cityscapes and buildings in Boston and other locations during the first decades of the 20th century. View a selection of Boston views reproduced at large scale and learn more about Shurcliff.


Learn more about the collection of glass lantern slides by reading this blog post. Visit our hours and admissions page for gallery hours.

Looking for More?

Registration and Events

 

Visit www.masshist.org/events for information on upcoming events and to register.


Interested in Past Programs?

 

If you missed a program or would like to revisit the material presented, please visit www.masshist.org/video.

The MHS Library


An advance appointment is strongly encouraged. Please log in to your Portal1791 account to select your preferred visit dates.

 

Set up an appointment via Zoom or live chat with a member of our reference staff. 

 

Learn more at www.masshist.org/library.

The MHS Fund and Membership

Our Members make it possible for us to offer an array of complimentary services including admission to our exhibition galleries and library, online access to our collections and digital editions, and onsite and remote reference services for all. Membership begins with a fully tax-deductible contribution of $250 or more to the MHS Fund. All Members enjoy a full year of social, cultural, and educational experiences, including invitations to our annual Holiday Party, FREE program registration, and Member Week perks. Learn more and join today!
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