Artwork
Woman in a Green Hat
Woman in a Green Hat is a watercolor work on paper by the Contemporary Realist artist Barbara Nessim. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1967, Woman in a Green Hat is a watercolour by American artist Barbara Nessim (b. 1939). The work belongs to the contemporary realism current and is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a woman in a vivid green hat and matching top, her left hand lifted to her neck, a ring visible on her finger. She turns her face leftward, eyes gazing upward, conveying a quiet, introspective mood that suggests a moment of contemplation.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the painting combines bright, saturated hues with bold, fluid lines. A stark white background is framed by a yellow border, while a sinuous, multicoloured line runs down the right side, adding a whimsical counterpoint to the otherwise restrained realism.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the piece has remained within institutional holdings, ultimately entering the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection, where it is displayed as an example of Nessim’s integration of illustration, fine art, and emerging digital practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Barbara Nessim (born 1939) is an American artist, illustrator, and educator whose work has played a significant role in expanding the boundaries between illustration, fine art, and digital media.
