Who painted Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman was painted by James Jennings in 1770-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

James Jennings , 1770

Portrait of a Woman is an ivory painting by the Rococo painting artist James Jennings. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

As a painting classified within the portrait genre, the piece functions as a formal study of likeness rather than a full‑scale oil portrait.

The work is executed in the miniature format on a thin sheet of ivory, a support typical of 18th‑century portrait miniatures. Jennings employs fine brushwork to render delicate facial features and the sitter’s modest attire, achieving a soft chiaroscuro that emphasizes the sitter’s pale complexion. The composition is tightly cropped, focusing on the head and shoulders, and the limited palette of ivory, white pigments, and subtle shading creates a luminous surface.

As a painting classified within the portrait genre, the piece functions as a formal study of likeness rather than a full‑scale oil portrait. The work is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and has been displayed in exhibitions of European miniatures.

History & Provenance

Portrait of a Woman by James Jennings is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it forms part of the Millie Bruhl Fredrick collection. The miniature, executed on ivory in 1770, has been documented in the museum's records with measured dimensions of 40 by 34 units. Its recorded exhibition history includes inclusion in the presentation European Miniatures in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, through which the work was shown to the public.

Overview

Created by James Jennings in 1770, Portrait of a Woman is a miniature rendered on ivory. This intimate depiction offers a glimpse into eighteenth-century portraiture, showcasing the artist's skill in a small-scale format. The artwork is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it represents a specific period and artistic practice.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork features a woman with fair skin and dark hair, her gaze directed outward. She is presented in a modest brown dress, with her hair neatly styled and adorned with small earrings. The simplicity of her attire and presentation suggests a focus on her individual features rather than elaborate status symbols, common in portraiture of the era.