Mrs. Bradley Martin (1845-1920) — Meave Thompson Gedney, Black, Starr & Frost

Mrs. Bradley Martin (1845-1920)

Exquisite miniature portrait of Mrs. Bradley Martin (1897) by Meave Thompson Gedney. A lavish Victorian scene featuring Josephine's jewels, showcasing Neoclassical style & historical intrigue.


meave thompson gedney, black, starr & frost (1863 - 1905)

Discover Meave Thompson Gedney (1863-1905), an American artist known for her exquisite watercolor portraits & contributions to Black, Starr & Frost jewelry. Explore her Sargent & Homer-influenced style and legacy at ArtsDot & the Smithsonian.

Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Martin gained notoriety for their lavish masquerade ball held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in 1897. Mr. Martin dressed as Louis XV, while Mrs. Martin presided as Mary, Queen of Scots, in a costume valued at over $400,000. This miniature depicts her in the extravagant ensemble, which included jewels that had once belonged to Empress Josephine of France. The couple endured scathing criticism for holding such a conspicuously excessive event during a time of economic depression. They moved to England to escape the scandal.