Artwork
Old Woman with a Muff
Old Woman with a Muff is an oil painting. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
The work entered the collection of Léopold Goldschmidt (1830‑1904) in Paris and, by inheritance, passed to his son‑in‑law, comte Ange‑André Pastré (1856‑1926).
The work entered the collection of Léopold Goldschmidt (1830‑1904) in Paris and, by inheritance, passed to his son‑in‑law, comte Ange‑André Pastré (1856‑1926). Wildenstein & Co. acquired the painting in 1937 and subsequently sold it to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation in December 1944; the foundation gifted the piece to the National Gallery of Art in 1946. It is dated to 1750 and executed in oil on canvas, reflecting French 18th‑century portrait conventions.
The painting is classified as a portrait and was created within the French artistic milieu of the mid‑1700s.
Old Woman with a Muff is held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
The painting entered the museum in 1946 as a gift from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, following its purchase from Wildenstein & Co. in December 1944.
It is recorded in the NGA’s collection as part of the Kress Collection, though the institution’s catalogue does not provide a separate accession number. The provenance traces the work from Léopold Goldschmidt in Paris through his daughter’s husband, comte Ange‑André Pastré, to Wildenstein & Co., and finally to the Kress Foundation before its donation to the NGA.
Overview
Old Woman with a Muff is an oil painting on canvas depicting an elderly woman. The artist presents her with a quiet dignity, emphasizing her simple attire and introspective expression. This work exemplifies a common artistic interest in the 18th century to portray ordinary individuals rather than grand historical or mythological subjects, offering a glimpse into everyday life.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features an older woman clad in a dark, hooded cloak worn over a lighter dress. Her face, though unadorned, conveys a sense of calm, marked by a subtle frown and weary eyes. The artist's focus on these understated details suggests an interest in capturing the individual's inner state rather than outward status or idealized beauty.
Technique & Style
The artist employs a dark, unadorned background to bring the figure into sharp relief, enhancing her presence. Textural qualities are evident in the soft, slightly wrinkled appearance of her cloak. This approach prioritizes the subject's simple garments and serene demeanor over elaborate embellishments, aligning with a stylistic emphasis on naturalism and the evocative use of light and shadow, reminiscent of chiaroscuro techniques.
Context
This painting reflects a prevalent artistic trend during the 18th century, which saw a growing interest in depicting ordinary individuals and scenes from daily life. Rather than focusing solely on aristocratic portraits or grand narratives, artists increasingly turned to common subjects, imbuing them with a quiet realism. This shift provided a more intimate and accessible view of society.
Artist & collection
- Portrait of an old woman
Brændevinsbrænder Bagges enke
Mrs. Robert Hingeston (died 1793)
Porträt der Ye. A. Arkharova
Mrs. Charles Willson Peale (Hannah Moore)
Anne Cockburn, Lady Inglis (died 1772)
Madame Gabriel Cotte
Cecilie Marie Elisabeth Schouw, f. Bagge, Poul Johan Schouws hustru
Porträt der Nadezhda Ivanovna Dubovitskaya
Portrait of Anna Yuryevna Kvashnina-Samarina
Portrait of Mrs. Luboradzka /?/
Maria Magdalena Jensen, née Jessen, the Artist's Mother