Artwork
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman is an unspecified painting by Peter Edward Stroehling. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting's genre is portraiture, meaning the image functions primarily to record the sitter's likeness and personal identity.
The work portrays an unidentified woman, presented as a half-length portrait typical of early nineteenth-century painting. The painting's genre is portraiture, meaning the image functions primarily to record the sitter's likeness and personal identity. No additional iconographic elements, such as attributes, background objects, or symbolic motifs, are described in the available documentation, so the painting's significance rests on its straightforward representation of female identity.
History & Provenance
Portrait of a Woman is a painting by Peter Edward Stroehling created in 1800. The work measures 87 cm in height and 67 cm in width. It is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is classified as a portrait depicting a woman. No specific commission, accession number, or exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Overview
Peter Edward Stroehling's Portrait of a Woman, completed in 1800, embodies the prevailing portraiture styles of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This oil painting, now held within The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, offers an elegant depiction of an unidentified female sitter. It showcases the artist's proficiency in rendering individual likeness and conveying a sense of quiet dignity, characteristic of his work across various European courts.
Technique & Style
Stroehling's technical skill is evident in his masterful application of chiaroscuro, which sculpts the sitter's features and creates a profound sense of depth. The strategic interplay of light and shadow draws the viewer's eye to the woman's face, highlighting its contours against a dark, indistinct background. This dramatic lighting not only enhances dimensionality but also contributes to the overall sense of poise and quiet intensity within the portrait.
Artist & collection
Artist
Peter Edward Stroehling, also spelled Peter Eduard Ströhling, and sometimes Stroely or Straely (1768 – c.
