Artwork
Portrait of a Lady in Red
Portrait of a Lady in Red is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist The Sherman Limner. It dates from 1788 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
in 1950, then acquired by Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, whose bequest in 1980 transferred it to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.
The painting depicts a woman dressed in a red garment, presented as a full‑length portrait by The Sherman Limner in 1785. Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures 56.5 cm by 48.5 cm and belongs to the portrait genre. The subject is an unidentified lady, her attire suggesting contemporary fashion of the period.
The canvas was recorded as having been in New York City, sold by Albert Duveen and Knoedler & Co. in 1950, then acquired by Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, whose bequest in 1980 transferred it to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
History & Provenance
Created in 1785, the oil-on-canvas portrait was executed by the artist known as The Sherman Limner. The work's documented history begins with its appearance in New York City, where it was held by dealer Albert Duveen. In 1950, the painting was sold to the art firm M. Knoedler and Co., also based in New York, before being acquired later that same year by collectors Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch.
Upon the death of the collectors, the portrait was bequeathed to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1980, where it remains part of the permanent collection.
Portrait of a Lady in Red is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The work entered the museum's holdings in 1980 as a bequest from Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch. Prior to this acquisition, the painting was sold by Albert Duveen of New York to M. Knoedler and Co. in 1950, and subsequently purchased by the Garbisches later that same year. Earlier provenance records indicate the piece originated in New York City.
No specific exhibition history or inventory accession numbers are provided in the available records.
Overview
Portrait of a Lady in Red is an oil painting created around 1788 by an artist known as The Sherman Limner. This artwork depicts a woman whose features are illuminated against a dark background, drawing focus to her composed expression. Her attire includes a red dress accented with lace, and she holds a small floral sprig, suggesting a moment of quiet contemplation. The painting exemplifies the portraiture style prevalent in the late 18th century.
Technique & Style
The artist employs a dark, unadorned background to create a strong visual contrast, causing the subject's face and upper body to emerge prominently. This technique effectively directs the viewer's attention to her features and expression. The brushstrokes are applied smoothly, resulting in a soft blending of colors that contributes to the refined quality of the portrait. The interplay of light and shadow further enhances the three-dimensional quality of the figure.
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