Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Henry Inman. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 25.178.5
- Credit line
- Bequest of Mrs. Heinrich Meyn, for her friend, Anna Mary King, 1925
About this work
Technique & Style
Portrait of a Lady is executed in watercolor on ivory, a miniature format that demands precise handling and a delicate touch.
Portrait of a Lady is executed in watercolor on ivory, a miniature format that demands precise handling and a delicate touch. The support of ivory provides a smooth, luminous ground that enhances the translucent quality of the watercolor washes, allowing subtle gradations of tone and fine detail in the sitter's features. Measuring only 8.3 by 6.7 centimeters, the work belongs to the tradition of portrait miniatures, where economy of scale requires careful, controlled brushwork and restrained pigment application.
The technique is consistent with Henry Inman's miniature practice of the early nineteenth century, in which the artist exploited the reflective qualities of ivory to achieve lifelike flesh tones and a soft, polished finish. The classification within The American Wing situates the piece within a broader tradition of American miniature portraiture, where watercolor on ivory was the dominant medium.
History & Provenance
Created in 1820, this watercolor on ivory titled Portrait of a Lady is the work of American artist Henry Inman. The piece, which depicts an unidentified woman, entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently housed within the institution's American Wing. While the specific circumstances of its original commission and the identity of the sitter remain unstated in the available records, the work's inception is firmly dated to the early nineteenth century. The object measures approximately 8.3 by 6.7 units and is classified as a portrait genre piece.
Overview
Henry Inman's "Portrait of a Lady," created around 1820, is a watercolor on ivory. This intimate depiction captures an unidentified woman in a dark dress, her gaze directed forward. The miniature scale and delicate medium distinguish it from larger oil paintings common during the period, offering a more personal and private form of portraiture. It is housed within the American Wing collection.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait features a woman presented frontally, her eyes meeting the viewer's directly. She is attired in a dark dress, which provides a strong contrast to the bright lace collar that frames her neck. A small, reflective gold pin is visible at her throat, adding a subtle detail to her otherwise understated presentation. The artist emphasizes her composed demeanor through careful rendering.
Context
While grand oil paintings often served as public or prominent domestic displays in the early 1800s, miniature portraits on ivory, such as this example, fulfilled a different role. Their diminutive size made them highly portable and suitable for private appreciation or as cherished keepsakes. This format fostered an intimate connection, allowing the viewer a close, personal engagement with the depicted individual.
Artist & collection
