Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Anthony Meucci. It dates from 1827 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The main subject is identified simply as a woman, and the depicted elements collectively convey a focus on respectable domestic virtue.
The painting, titled Portrait of a Lady, depicts a young woman rendered in watercolor on ivory, dated 1827. Her likeness includes a cap, earring, hat, and lace, details recorded in the work's iconography. These accessories correspond to early-19th-century fashion, indicating a bourgeois aesthetic.
The composition is classified as a portrait within The American Wing collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, emphasizing the sitter's role as a representative of contemporary elite femininity. The main subject is identified simply as a woman, and the depicted elements collectively convey a focus on respectable domestic virtue.
Technique & Style
The miniature is rendered in watercolor on a small ivory support, measuring 6.9 cm in height and 5.7 cm in width. The handling is delicate, characteristic of early nineteenth-century portrait miniatures, with fine stippling and smooth gradations to model the sitter’s features and the translucent lace collar. The ivory ground provides a luminous, reflective surface that enhances the luminosity of the watercolor pigments.
The cap, hat, and lace are depicted with precise, linear detailing, while the earring is rendered with a subtle sparkle, suggesting the reflective quality of metal. The overall condition appears stable, with no significant losses or discoloration noted in the primary record.
History & Provenance
Executed in 1827, this watercolor on ivory portrait was created by the artist Anthony Meucci. The work depicts a female subject adorned with a cap, hat, lace, and an earring. Currently held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, specifically under the classification of The American Wing, the piece has been documented with an inception date of January 1, 1827.
While the specific original commissioner and the detailed chain of ownership prior to its museum acquisition are not explicitly detailed in the available records, the artwork's creation history is firmly established by its attribution to Meucci and its 1827 dating. The physical dimensions are recorded as approximately 6.9 by 5.7 units, consistent with the miniature format typical of ivory portraits from this period.
The watercolor on ivory titled Portrait of a Lady, created by Anthony Meucci in 1827, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Classified under the museum's American Wing, the work depicts a woman wearing a cap, hat, lace, and an earring. While the sources confirm the artwork's location and its categorization within the institution, they do not provide a specific inventory or accession number. Furthermore, the available documentation contains no records regarding the piece's exhibition history.
Overview
This artwork, titled "Portrait of a Lady," is a watercolor rendered on a piece of ivory. It features a woman dressed in a dark gown and a lace cap, looking directly forward. The small dimensions of the piece, combined with its unique medium, indicate it was designed for personal appreciation rather than public display.
Housed within the American Wing, this portrait exemplifies a particular style and purpose prevalent in American art of its time.
Context
Miniature portraits on ivory served a specific cultural function, often created as cherished personal mementos. Their small scale made them suitable for private viewing, frequently held in the hand or worn as jewelry, rather than being hung on a wall. This intimate format fostered a direct and personal connection between the owner and the depicted subject, reflecting their sentimental value.
Artist & collection
- Portrait of a Lady
Mrs. Stephen Van Rensselaer III (Cornelia Paterson)
Portret van een vrouw
Ulrika Dahlman m. Camitz, Canoness
Portrait of Maria Sędziak née Żyżniewska
Portret de femeie (profil de femeie)
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Woman
Porträtt av ung kvinna i en violett klänning med vit spetskrage
Maria Helena Rosina von Haartman
Portrait of a Lady
