Artwork
Lady Wearing a Large White Cap
Lady Wearing a Large White Cap is an oil painting. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Stylistically, the piece functions as a genre portrait, attributed to an American artist of the eighteenth century.
Executed in 1780, this portrait is an oil painting on canvas support. The work measures 76.5 cm in height and 65 cm in width. Stylistically, the piece functions as a genre portrait, attributed to an American artist of the eighteenth century.
The composition focuses on the subject's attire, specifically characterized by the presence of a large white cap, which serves as a defining visual element of the figure's presentation.
History & Provenance
The portrait was painted circa 1780 by an unidentified artist associated with the American eighteenth century. It entered the art market in New York, where it was handled by Hirschl and Adler Galleries before being sold to collectors Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch in 1964.
Upon the death of Edgar William Chrysler Garbisch, the work passed by bequest to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., in 1980, where it remains in the permanent collection.
Lady Wearing a Large White Cap entered the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., through the bequest of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch in 1980. The Garbisches had acquired the painting in 1964 from Hirschl and Adler Galleries of New York, which had previously handled the work in New York.
The painting is held in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it is catalogued as an oil on canvas portrait measuring 76.5 cm in height by 65 cm in width.
Overview
This oil on canvas painting, titled Lady Wearing a Large White Cap, depicts a woman engaged with a musical instrument. Her distinctive attire, featuring a prominent white cap and a vibrant red gown, suggests a specific period and social context. The work offers a glimpse into domestic life and fashion of its era, rendered with attention to detail and atmospheric lighting.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is portrayed in a striking red dress, accented by white lace ruffles at the neck and sleeves. Her head is adorned with a voluminous white cap, composed of multiple fabric layers and a delicate, sheer veil. Her hands rest upon a small keyboard instrument, likely a piano or harpsichord, with sheet music open before her. Small, intricate floral embroideries on her cuffs and cap add subtle refinement to her ensemble.
Context
The fashion choices, particularly the elaborate cap and the style of the dress, align with trends prevalent in the late eighteenth century. Similarly, the presence of a keyboard instrument and open sheet music reflects the common practice of domestic music-making during this period. These elements collectively situate the artwork within the cultural and social milieu of its time.
Artist & collection
- Elizabeth Denison
Sally Sanford Perit
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