George Sand

From its prominent location over the mantel in the guest room, the portrait of George Sand (1804-1876) suggests what an important role model the author was for Jewett. For much of the nineteenth century Sand was the most popular author in France, male or female. Considerably older than Jewett, Sand affirmed for Jewett that women could have successful careers as writers. Sand’s penchant for wearing men’s clothing or dipping into streams fully dressed must have appealed to Jewett’s own playfulness.