Who painted Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman was painted by Jean-Antoine Laurent in 1795-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Young Woman?

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

What movement is Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman is associated with Neoclassicism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Young Woman?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Young Woman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a Young Woman

Jean-Antoine Laurent , 1798

Portrait of a Young Woman is an ivory painting by the Neoclassicist artist Jean-Antoine Laurent. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

The portrait is executed as a miniature painting on ivory, a support characteristic of late eighteenth-century portrait practice.

The portrait is executed as a miniature painting on ivory, a support characteristic of late eighteenth-century portrait practice. The work measures 6.3 by 7.3 centimeters, a compact format consistent with portable keepsake likenesses of the period. As a miniature, it would have been produced with fine brushes and water-based pigments, allowing for delicate handling and precise detail on the smooth ivory ground.

The classification as a painting rather than a drawing reflects the use of pigment layers rather than linear media. No source documents further details regarding the condition of the ivory support or the specific pigment palette.

History & Provenance

The Portrait of a Young Woman is a miniature painted on ivory, attributed to the French artist Jean-Antoine Laurent. Created in 1798, the work measures 6.3 by 7.3 centimeters and depicts a female subject in portrait format. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it remains attributed to Laurent and is cataloged as a portrait miniature. No specific accession number, credit line, prior provenance, or exhibition history is documented in the available sources.

Overview

This miniature, titled Portrait of a Young Woman, was created by Jean-Antoine Laurent in 1798. Executed on ivory, this small painting captures the likeness of an unidentified woman. It is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a characteristic example of portraiture from the late 18th century.

Subject & Meaning

The depicted woman features curly red hair, elegantly framed by a white fur shawl and a blue-green dress. She holds a yellow fan adorned with a blue ribbon, suggesting a moment of leisure or social engagement. Her figure is set against a lush, green, leafy background, creating a naturalistic and serene environment for the sitter.