Julia Willard Cary, daughter of Simon Willard, was born on Jan 28, 1802, and died on June 23, 1861. In 1831 Julia married Isaac Cary, so we assume the portrait was done around this time.

Julia is depicted as a young lady with beautiful grey eyes and a luxurious head of silky auburn locks in an elaborate up-do, done by feathery brushwork, showing her elegant neck and shoulders. Young woman is dressed in a black evening gown. The background and lines of the silhouette are deliberately softened by the artists to focus on the sitter’s face.

This oil portrait is unsigned, about 22" W by 25" H unframed, and is currently smaller, than the original, according to the inscription on the frame top: "Cut down Cobb's Mill size to come."

The painting came to the museum together with Simon Willard’s portrait (96.211), his desk, his reading glasses (96.248), an armchair and a Patent Timepiece (2.96.63) from a descendant.