Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Anna Claypoole Peale. It dates from 1822 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2006.235.119
- Credit line
- Dale T. Johnson Fund, 2006
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Consequently, the painting's meaning is tied to its function as a formal likeness rather than an allegorical or symbolic narrative.
The work depicts a young woman rendered in a conventional portrait format, presenting her as the sitter of the composition. As an 1822 watercolor on ivory by Anna Claypoole Peale, the image belongs to the portrait genre and was intended to record the sitter's appearance and social identity. The subject's attire reflects contemporary expectations of respectable femininity, though the sources do not specify additional iconographic symbols or narrative attributes.
Consequently, the painting's meaning is tied to its function as a formal likeness rather than an allegorical or symbolic narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1822, this portrait by Anna Claypoole Peale utilizes watercolor applied to an ivory support, a medium characteristic of miniature painting traditions. The work measures approximately 6.7 by 5.4 cm, indicating a small-scale format intended for intimate viewing. The piece demonstrates the artist's facility with the delicate handling required for watercolor on ivory, a technique that demands precision due to the non-absorbent nature of the surface. The classification within the American Wing highlights its significance in early nineteenth-century American art.
History & Provenance
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor on ivory portrait painted by American artist Anna Claypoole Peale in 1822. The work is classified within the American Wing's portrait genre, measures approximately 6.7 × 5.4 cm, and depicts a woman. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view, establishing the museum as its current owner. No earlier owners or commissioning details are recorded in the available documentation.
Overview
Anna Claypoole Peale's "Portrait of a Lady," created in 1822, exemplifies the American tradition of watercolor miniatures on ivory. This intimate depiction captures an unidentified woman, rendered with meticulous detail on a small scale. Peale, a notable artist from a prominent family of painters, specialized in such keepsake portraits, which were highly sought after by affluent patrons during the early 19th century.
Context
Anna Claypoole Peale emerged from a distinguished artistic lineage; her father and uncle operated a renowned studio, fostering her artistic development. Her proficiency in miniature painting established her reputation. Notably, she and her sister, Sarah Miriam Peale, achieved recognition as some of the earliest women elected as academicians to the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, marking a significant professional milestone.
Artist & collection
Artist
Anna Claypoole Peale (March 6, 1791 – December 25, 1878) was an American painter who specialized in portrait miniatures on ivory and still lifes.
