Artwork
Mrs. Michael Taney (Monica Brooke)
Mrs. Michael Taney (Monica Brooke) is a watercolor painting by the Rococo painting artist Charles Willson Peale. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This portrait, titled Mrs.
- Accession no.
- 38.165.32
- Credit line
- Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1938
About this work
A woman with a gentle, calm face wears delicate lace and a fine necklace. Charles Willson Peale painted her in 1770 in watercolor on ivory, a demanding surface that rewarded a precise hand.
Overview
Executed in watercolor on ivory, the artwork is part of The American Wing collection.
This portrait, titled Mrs. Michael Taney (Monica Brooke), presents a refined depiction of its sitter. Executed in watercolor on ivory, the artwork is part of The American Wing collection. The choice of medium highlights a specific artistic practice prevalent during the period, demanding considerable dexterity from the artist to achieve such delicate detail and subtle coloration on a challenging surface.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features Monica Brooke, identified as Mrs. Michael Taney, portrayed with a serene demeanor. Her gentle expression is complemented by the intricate details of her attire, including delicate lace and a subtle necklace. This type of portraiture aimed to capture the likeness and social standing of individuals, often emphasizing grace and refinement through careful rendering of features and accessories.
Technique & Style
The creation of this portrait in watercolor on ivory represents a specialized and demanding artistic technique. Ivory, with its smooth, non-absorbent surface, required artists to apply pigments with exceptional precision and control, often in thin, translucent layers. This method allowed for fine detail and luminous effects, making it a favored medium for intimate portraits and miniatures that showcased the artist's skill and the sitter's delicate features.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Willson Peale (April 15, 1741 – February 22, 1827) was an American painter, military officer, scientist, and naturalist.
