Artwork
Young Woman and Man
Young Woman and Man is an oil painting. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Executed in 1750 by an unidentified French eighteenth-century artist, this work is an oil painting applied to a wood panel support.
Executed in 1750 by an unidentified French eighteenth-century artist, this work is an oil painting applied to a wood panel support. The composition is characterized by its diminutive scale, measuring approximately 11.8 cm in height and 9.9 cm in width. The use of oil paint on a rigid panel was a standard technique for small-scale portraiture and genre scenes during this period, allowing for fine detail within a compact format.
The artwork's classification as a painting on panel distinguishes it from canvas works of the same era, suggesting a specific approach to surface preparation and handling typical of mid-eighteenth-century French studio practice.
History & Provenance
The painting was created in 1750 as an oil on wood panel by a French artist of the 18th century. It entered the collection of William R. Timken, who retained it until his death, after which it passed by inheritance to his widow, Lillian Guyer Timken. Following her death, the work was bequeathed in 1960 to the National Gallery of Art, where it remains in the permanent collection today.
The work is catalogued in the National Gallery of Art's collection records with an inception date of 1750 and dimensions of 11.8 cm in height by 9.9 cm in width.
The painting Young Woman and Man is held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Its accession number is 1960.17.1. The work entered the collection through the bequest of Lillian Guyer Timken in 1960, following its inheritance from her husband William R. Timken. It has been displayed in exhibitions at the National Gallery of Art, including the 1961 exhibition "French Paintings of the Eighteenth Century," which highlighted French paintings from the museum's collection.
Overview
Young Woman and Man is an oil painting executed on a wooden panel. The composition presents a young woman, dressed in an elaborate outfit with a feather‑adorned hat, alongside a man in more restrained attire. The scene is rendered with warm lighting that conveys a sense of intimacy and domestic comfort.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a private moment between the two figures, emphasizing their subtle facial expressions and the contrast between the woman's fashionable dress and the man's modest clothing. The juxtaposition suggests a narrative of social distinction or personal relationship, inviting viewers to contemplate the dynamics of the encounter.
Context
Created within the Baroque tradition, the painting reflects the era’s interest in realism, emotional resonance, and the portrayal of everyday scenes with a dignified elegance. Its medium, oil on wood, aligns with common practices of the time, allowing for fine surface detail and luminous color effects.
Artist & collection
Divertissement
Portrait of Carl Christian Laurentius Birch
Scenă galantă
Mother with Two Children
Helene Fourment und Sohn Frans (Kopie nach)
Portrait of a woman with a tilted head
Interior with three Peasants
Lady with a baby in her arms and a child at her side
Portrait of Baroness Elizabeth .D. Rosen, née Zubova, with Her Daughter
Two Peasant Boys with a Basket
Pereche tânără- A Girl and a Young Man