Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor painting by the Rococo painting artist Nathaniel Rogers. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2006.235.172
- Credit line
- Gift of Gloria Manney, 2006
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The subject is identified simply as a woman, with the composition dedicated to capturing her physical presence and status as the main focus of the artwork.
The work is a portrait depicting a single woman, created by Nathaniel Rogers in 1815. Classified within the genre of portraiture, the piece focuses entirely on the female subject without additional narrative figures or complex allegorical settings. As an intimate miniature executed in watercolor on ivory, the representation emphasizes the individual likeness of the sitter rather than conveying broader symbolic meanings or specific iconographic programs.
The subject is identified simply as a woman, with the composition dedicated to capturing her physical presence and status as the main focus of the artwork.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1815, this portrait by Nathaniel Rogers employs watercolor applied to an ivory support, a medium characteristic of miniature painting traditions. The work features a female subject rendered with the delicacy afforded by the translucent qualities of watercolor on the smooth, luminous surface of the ivory. Physically, the piece is intimate in scale, measuring approximately 7.6 centimeters in height and 6 centimeters in width.
As a portrait within the American Wing collection, the artwork demonstrates the specific handling required for such small-scale portraiture, where fine detail and subtle tonal variations are achieved through the layering of pigments on the non-absorbent ground. The composition focuses entirely on the depiction of the woman, utilizing the reflective nature of the ivory to enhance the lifelike appearance of the sitter's complexion.
History & Provenance
The Portrait of a Lady was created in 1815 by the American artist Nathaniel Rogers, executed as a watercolor on ivory depicting an unidentified woman. According to the work’s records, it is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and is displayed in the American Wing. No earlier ownership or commission details are provided in the available sources, but the painting’s inception date and medium are firmly established as 1815 and watercolor on ivory, respectively.
Overview
Nathaniel Rogers's "Portrait of a Lady," created in 1815, is a watercolor on ivory. This intimate depiction of an unidentified woman exemplifies the miniature portraiture popular in early 19th-century America. Its small scale suggests it was intended as a personal keepsake, a common function for such works during the period. The artwork is part of the American Wing collection.
Context
During the 19th century, miniature portraits on ivory were a prevalent art form, particularly in America. These small, often palm-sized artworks offered an accessible way for individuals to commission likenesses of themselves or family members. They functioned as precious keepsakes, predating the widespread availability of photographic portraits and serving a similar role in preserving personal memories and connections.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nathaniel Rogers (1787-1844) was an American miniature painter, born at Bridgehampton on Long Island, New York.
