Who painted Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman was painted by after Jean-Marc Nattier in 1750/1760.

Where can I see Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Portrait of a Young Woman

after Jean-Marc Nattier , 1755

Portrait of a Young Woman is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist after Jean-Marc Nattier. It dates from 1755 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

The attribution remains uncertain; some records associate the work with Jean-Marc Nattier, though no definitive attribution has been established.

Executed circa 1755, this portrait is an oil painting on canvas support. The work measures 80.9 centimeters in height and 64.5 centimeters in width. The medium consists of oil paint applied to a textile ground, a standard technique for mid-eighteenth-century European portraiture.

The attribution remains uncertain; some records associate the work with Jean-Marc Nattier, though no definitive attribution has been established. The painting depicts a single female subject.

History & Provenance

The Portrait of a Young Woman is dated to circa 1755 and executed in oil on canvas. It depicts a woman and was created by an anonymous artist possibly associated with Jean-Marc Nattier, though definitive attribution remains uncertain. Its provenance traces from William R. Timken, New York, to his widow Lillian Guyer Timken, also of New York, who bequeathed it to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1960. The painting is presently part of the National Gallery of Art's collection.

Overview

This oil on canvas, titled "Portrait of a Young Woman," presents a seated figure in a contemplative pose. The artist's attention to detail is evident in the rendering of the subject's features and hands, suggesting a deliberate and careful approach. The overall composition emphasizes the woman's quiet presence, inviting viewers to engage with her subtle demeanor rather than overt emotion.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures a young woman in period attire, depicted with a reserved and understated expression. Her gaze is neither overtly joyful nor sorrowful, contributing to a sense of authenticity and introspection. This nuanced portrayal allows for a connection with the sitter that transcends a simple likeness, focusing instead on her inner state and individual character.