Artwork
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman is an unspecified painting by the Naïve art artist Joshua Wilson Faulkner. It dates from 1814 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting, titled Portrait of a Woman, shows a solitary female sitter rendered in the early-19th-century portrait tradition.
The painting, titled Portrait of a Woman, shows a solitary female sitter rendered in the early-19th-century portrait tradition. According to the documented record, the work was created by Joshua Wilson Faulkner in 1814 and is classified as a portrait, indicating that the artist’s intent was to capture the appearance and dignified presence of a woman of likely respectable standing. The subject’s identity is not specified in the sources, but the composition functions as a visual record of period expectations, emphasizing poise and modesty typical of the time.
The portrait therefore serves both as a personal likeness and as a statement of social status within its cultural context.
History & Provenance
The painting titled Portrait of a Woman was created by Joshua Wilson Faulkner in 1814. Classified as a portrait, the piece depicts a female subject and measures 100 cm in height by 80 cm in width. It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
While the specific details regarding the original commission or the initial chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the museum are not detailed in the available records, the work is attributed to Faulkner and dated to the early nineteenth century. The sources do not provide a specific accession number or any record of the painting's exhibition history.
Overview
Joshua Wilson Faulkner's Portrait of a Woman, painted in 1814, captures a female sitter with a calm demeanor. This work is classified within the naive art tradition and represents an example of the English artist's output from the early 19th century. It is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering insight into portraiture of the period.
Technique & Style
Faulkner employs distinct shading to create a sense of depth, causing the woman's face and attire to emerge prominently from the darker background. This technique directs the viewer's attention to her features and form. The painting is characterized by its classification as naive art, suggesting a style that prioritizes direct representation over academic conventions, yet effectively conveys the sitter's presence.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joshua Wilson Faulkner (baptised 28 February 1783 – 5 October 1874) was an English portrait painter.
