Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Daniel F. Ames. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The piece is catalogued in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is attributed to Daniel F.
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor painting executed on an ivory support, measuring approximately 7.8 × 6 cm (as recorded in museum records). The work employs transparent watercolor washes to render a seated woman accompanied by a vase, with subtle tonal modeling typical of mid-nineteenth-century American portraiture. The ivory panel provides a smooth, slightly luminous ground that enhances the delicate handling of pigment, while the composition balances the figure with a modest decorative element.
The piece is catalogued in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is attributed to Daniel F. Ames.
History & Provenance
Created by Daniel F. Ames, this watercolor on ivory depicts a female subject. The work's ownership history includes possession by Edward Sheppard and E. Grosvenor Paine before entering the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under The American Wing with accession number 2006.235.281. It measures approximately 7.8 by 6 cm and is identified as a portrait genre work featuring a woman and a vase.
Overview
This miniature, titled Portrait of a Lady, is rendered in watercolor on ivory. The small-scale work presents a woman in a dark garment, holding a pink rose close to her face. A blue-and-white vase rests on a table in the background, completing the intimate composition. Its delicate size, comparable to a locket, suggests it was intended for personal viewing.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a woman dressed in dark attire, her gaze directed outward. She gently holds a pink rose, bringing the bloom near her cheek, a gesture that introduces a soft, natural element to her portrayal. In the background, a blue-and-white vase is visible on a surface, adding a subtle domestic detail to the setting.
Context
During the period this portrait was created, oil on canvas was the predominant medium for portraiture. In contrast, watercolor on ivory was a less common and inherently more fragile choice. This particular medium required a specialized approach and offered a distinct aesthetic, differentiating it from the larger, more robust oil paintings typical of the era. Its delicate nature necessitated careful preservation.
Artist & collection
Artist
An American painter of tiny ivory portraits, Daniel F. Ames worked in watercolor between 1840 and 1845. Two surviving miniatures show a woman against a plain background, her dress and features in delicate strokes. Such…
