Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Eliza Goodridge. It dates from 1829 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2006.235.285
- Credit line
- Fletcher Fund, 2006
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a woman in early nineteenth-century attire, accessorized with a shawl and brooch, elements that define her social identity and status in the portrait genre of the period. The shawl, often a marker of modesty and respectability in early American portraiture, frames the subject within conventions of feminine propriety, while the brooch functions as a personal emblem, possibly indicating familial or marital ties. The choice to depict the sitter with these attributes suggests an emphasis on her role within domestic and social spheres, aligning with the portrait’s function as a marker of identity and social standing in early American visual culture.
Technique & Style
Stylistically, the piece captures the subject adorned with a shawl and a brooch, emphasizing the delicate handling required for the ivory support.
Created in 1829, the Portrait of a Lady by Eliza Goodridge is executed in watercolor on ivory, a medium characteristic of miniature portraiture from this period. The work measures 8 inches in height and 6.5 inches in width, presenting a formal bust-length depiction of a woman. Stylistically, the piece captures the subject adorned with a shawl and a brooch, emphasizing the delicate handling required for the ivory support.
As a genre portrait housed in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the artwork demonstrates the refined aesthetic typical of Goodridge's practice, focusing on the precise rendering of facial features and accessories within a compact format.
History & Provenance
Portrait of a Lady by Eliza Goodridge is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under The American Wing as a watercolor on ivory portrait. According to the Wikidata record, the work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's holdings, with recorded dimensions of 8 inches in height and 6.5 inches in width. No specific accession number or exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Context
The painting is catalogued in The American Wing, positioning it within the museum’s narrative of early American portraiture and underscoring its significance in the nation’s artistic heritage. Its status as a watercolor on ivory portrait of a woman adorned with a brooch and shawl reflects contemporary 1820s fashion and the genre’s emphasis on genteel representation. Scholarship on Eliza Goodridge remains sparse, yet the work is frequently cited in studies of female watercolorists and the development of portraiture in the United States, highlighting her contribution to a modest but notable oeuvre.
The piece’s inclusion in a major metropolitan collection illustrates its recognized place in the broader discourse of 19th‑century American art.
Overview
Painted in 1829 by American artist Eliza Goodridge, this portrait depicts a woman in a dark dress gazing directly at the viewer. Her hands are folded over a fringed shawl, and a small brooch is visible at her neck. Executed in watercolor on ivory, the work utilizes the translucent nature of the support to create a luminous quality in the sitter's skin, a characteristic technique of the miniature tradition.
Goodridge, active primarily in the early 19th century, specialized in these intimate portraits which were frequently commissioned as personal keepsakes or jewelry. The composition focuses tightly on the upper body, emphasizing the subject's expression and the delicate rendering of her attire. This piece exemplifies the American miniature painting style of the period, where the small scale and precious materials served to elevate the personal significance of the likeness.
Artist & collection
Artist
Elizabeth Goodridge (March 12, 1798 – April 18, 1882) was an American painter who specialized in miniatures. She was the younger sister of Sarah Goodridge, also an American miniaturist.
