Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist James Peale. It dates from 1791 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 41.36
- Credit line
- Fletcher Fund, 1941
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The piece is part of The American Wing collection at the Met, underscoring its significance within the museum’s holdings of early American art.
The painting, titled Portrait of a Lady, presents a female sitter rendered in watercolor on ivory, dating to 1791. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art record, the work belongs to the portrait genre and is catalogued as depicting a woman, the main subject of the composition. As a portrait, it functions as a formal representation of a woman of likely elite status, typical of early American portraiture that emphasized dignity and refinement.
The piece is part of The American Wing collection at the Met, underscoring its significance within the museum’s holdings of early American art.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1791, this portrait by James Peale utilizes watercolor paint applied directly onto an ivory support, a medium characteristic of miniature painting traditions. The work measures approximately 5.1 by 4 centimeters, indicating a small-scale format intended for intimate viewing. As a portrait genre piece, the composition focuses exclusively on a female subject.
The selection of ivory as the ground allows for the luminous quality typical of watercolor miniatures from this period, while the compact dimensions suggest the object was designed for personal possession or display within a domestic setting rather than as a large public statement.
History & Provenance
The watercolor miniature is held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is recorded under accession number 41.36 within The American Wing. As a late-eighteenth-century portrait miniature by James Peale, it exemplifies the intimate, small-scale likenesses produced for private viewing during the period. The available sources do not document a specific earlier provenance or commission history.
Overview
James Peale, an American artist, completed Portrait of a Lady in 1791. This miniature painting, rendered with watercolor on a delicate ivory surface, presents a detailed depiction of a woman. Peale was recognized for his skill in both miniature portraits and still life compositions, and his work often reflects the artistic trends of his era.
Context
James Peale, the younger brother of the prominent artist Charles Willson Peale, contributed significantly to American art in the late 18th century. His work, including this portrait, is often considered within the broader context of American folk art. This movement emphasized directness and often celebrated individual craftsmanship, reflecting the burgeoning artistic identity of the young nation.
Artist & collection
Artist
James Peale (1749 – May 24, 1831) was an American painter, best known for his miniature and still life paintings, and a younger brother of noted painter Charles Willson Peale.
