Who painted Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman was painted by Richard Crosse in 1780-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman?

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

What movement is Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

Richard Crosse , 1790

Portrait of a Woman is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Richard Crosse. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work is currently held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a significant aspect of British artistic tradition.

Richard Crosse's Portrait of a Woman, created around 1790, exemplifies the refined miniature portraiture popular in late 18th-century England. Rendered in the Rococo style, this painting showcases the artist's skill in capturing individual likenesses within a small format. The work is currently held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a significant aspect of British artistic tradition.

Subject & Meaning

The oval composition presents a woman with an elaborate coiffure of high, curly hair. Dressed in a white gown featuring a ruffled collar and a bow at her wrist, her attire reflects the fashion of the period. The artist employs a plain background, directing the viewer's attention solely to the sitter's face and upper body, emphasizing her features and the delicate details of her presentation.

Technique & Style

Executed in a black-and-white palette, the portrait exhibits a soft, almost ethereal quality, reminiscent of early photographic prints. Crosse utilized subtle gradations of tone and gentle shading to model the woman's face, imparting a sense of three-dimensionality and depth despite the miniature scale. This approach aligns with the elegant and delicate aesthetic characteristic of the Rococo style.

Context

Richard Crosse was a notable figure within the late 18th-century English art scene, specializing in miniature portraits. He was associated with a distinguished group of British artists working in this genre, including contemporaries such as John Smart and Richard Cosway. His work contributes to the understanding of the refined artistic practices and social customs surrounding portraiture during his era.

Artist & collection

Artist

Richard Crosse

Richard Crosse (24 April 1742 – May 1810) was an English painter of portrait miniatures. He was a contemporary of John Smart, George Engleheart, Richard Cosway and William Wood.