Artwork
Mrs. Whaley (died 1798, Isle of Man)

Mrs. Whaley (died 1798, Isle of Man) is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist John Hoppner. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This oil painting, titled Mrs.
About this work
History & Provenance
The museum’s documentation does not provide an accession or inventory number for the piece, and no exhibition history is noted in the sources consulted.
John Hoppner executed the oil-on-canvas portrait of Mrs. Whaley in 1796. The work, measuring 237.5 by 147.3 centimeters, depicts a woman and is classified within the portrait genre. While the specific commission details and immediate ownership chain prior to its current location are not detailed in the available records, the painting is firmly dated to 1796.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art currently holds the work in its collection. The subject, Mrs. Whaley, died in 1798 on the Isle of Man, placing the creation of the portrait just two years before her death. The painting remains a significant example of Hoppner's portraiture from the mid-1790s.
Mrs. Whaley (died 1798, Isle of Man) is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work is recorded as an oil‑on‑canvas portrait painted by John Hoppner in 1796, classified as a painting within the museum’s collection. The museum’s documentation does not provide an accession or inventory number for the piece, and no exhibition history is noted in the sources consulted. Its genre is listed as portrait, consistent with the artist’s output during that period.
Overview
This oil painting, titled Mrs. Whaley, is a portrait by the artist John Hoppner, completed in 1798. It depicts the sitter, Mrs. Whaley, who passed away in the same year on the Isle of Man. The work is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering a glimpse into late 18th-century portraiture through its depiction of a woman in a subdued, yet focused, manner.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents Mrs. Whaley as a composed figure, standing within a dimly lit interior. She is attired in a dark gown with a high collar, holding a white fan in one hand. Her hair is neatly styled, pulled back from her face, and her gaze is directed forward with a serene expression.
The background features a dark curtain and subtle red floral accents, providing a muted backdrop for her presence.
Technique & Style
Hoppner utilized oil paint to create a striking contrast in this portrait. The artist employed a dark, shadowy background to emphasize Mrs. Whaley's face and figure, a technique reminiscent of chiaroscuro. This strategic use of deep shadows not only adds a sense of depth to the composition but also directs the viewer's attention to her features, making her stand out against the otherwise somber setting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
John Hoppner was an English painter, much influenced by Joshua Reynolds, who achieved fame as a colourist.


















