Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist Thomas Seir Cummings. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The painting conveys a quiet, genteel elegance typical of elite portraiture of the period; its present condition is not detailed in the available records.
The work is executed in watercolour on a thin ivory support, measuring approximately 8.9 cm in height and 7.3 cm in width, as recorded in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's cataloguing data. The delicate handling of pigment produces soft tonal gradations that define the sitter's facial features and the folds of her dress, reflecting the mid-19th-century American portrait-miniature tradition. The composition emphasizes the sitter against the luminous ivory ground.
The painting conveys a quiet, genteel elegance typical of elite portraiture of the period; its present condition is not detailed in the available records.
History & Provenance
The portrait was painted by Thomas Seir Cummings in 1835 in watercolour on ivory and depicts a woman, consistent with Cummings's known practice during the mid-1830s. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, classified within the American Wing, with recorded dimensions of 8.9 × 7.3 cm. No sitter identity or commission is documented, and the sources provide neither a specific accession number nor any exhibition history.
Overview
Portrait of a Lady, painted by Thomas Seir Cummings around 1835, is a watercolor on ivory. This small-scale work captures the likeness of an unidentified woman, reflecting a popular form of portraiture during the early to mid-19th century. It offers a glimpse into the personal and artistic practices of the era, showcasing the artist's skill in a delicate medium.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features a woman dressed in a dark gown, her hair meticulously styled and pulled back. She gazes directly forward, establishing an immediate connection with the observer. A single pearl earring subtly illuminates her profile, highlighting the delicate rendering of her complexion and the quiet precision of her portrayal.
Context
Housed within The American Wing, this piece represents a significant aspect of 19th-century American art and social custom. Miniature portraits like this one were highly valued as intimate mementos, serving as cherished reminders of individuals and familial bonds in an age before photography became widespread.
Artist & collection
- Portrait of a Lady
Mrs. John Wood Dodge (Mary Louise Dodge)
Selbstbildnis
Portrait of Ane Elisabeth (Elise) Gurlitt, né Saxild (1817-39)
Elise Ljungman, m. Paint Manufacturer and the Director of an Orphanage Signeul in Uddevalla
Mrs. Israel Thorndike (Sarah Dana)
Mrs Eugenie Maria Wynne (Crowe)
Mrs. Samuel Vaughan
Anna Claypoole Peale
Portrait of a Lady
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph
Portrait of a Lady