Artwork
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman is an unspecified painting by the French Romanticist artist Étienne Bouchardy. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition aligns with mid‑19th‑century portrait conventions, presenting the sitter in a manner that emphasizes her status and individuality.
The painting, titled Portrait of a Woman (1838) by Étienne Bouchardy, portrays a single female sitter, as indicated by the work’s classification as a portrait and its main subject designation of woman. The composition aligns with mid‑19th‑century portrait conventions, presenting the sitter in a manner that emphasizes her status and individuality. While the specific symbolic attributes of the sitter are not detailed in the available records, the depiction functions as a representation of bourgeois femininity, reflecting contemporary expectations of modesty and refinement.
The artwork’s meaning is thus rooted in its role as a formal portrait of a woman within the artistic practice of the period.
History & Provenance
The painting titled Portrait of a Woman was created in 1838 by the artist Étienne Bouchardy. Classified as a portrait genre work, the piece depicts a female subject. The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains located.
While specific details regarding the original commission or intermediate ownership transfers are not provided in the available records, the work's inception is firmly dated to the beginning of 1838, and its attribution to Bouchardy is established.
Étienne Bouchardy's 1838 painting, Portrait of a Woman, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work is classified as a portrait depicting a woman. While the source material confirms the museum as the current location and the artist and date of creation, it does not provide a specific inventory or accession number for the piece.
Furthermore, the available documentation does not list any specific exhibitions where the painting has been displayed. Consequently, the public record establishes the artwork's presence within the museum's holdings but lacks detailed accession metadata or a documented exhibition timeline.
Overview
Étienne Bouchardy's "Portrait of a Woman," created in 1838, offers a formal depiction of an unidentified female sitter. This oil painting is housed within the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a characteristic example of portraiture from the mid-19th century. The artwork captures a moment of quiet composure, reflecting the period's conventions for presenting individuals of social standing.
Technique & Style
Bouchardy's approach emphasizes the sitter through a soft, diffused background, which allows the figure to stand out prominently. The meticulous detail in her clothing and accessories provides a contrast with the subtle backdrop. The painting is encased in an ornate frame, featuring intricate carvings that contribute to the artwork's formal presentation and period aesthetic.
Artist & collection
- Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman
Margaret Seton (1805-1870), född i Skottland, verksam i Sverige, g.m. friherre överste Carl Gustaf Adlercreutz, sondotter till Alexander Baron Seton
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Woman
Mary Crosby
Mrs. Joseph Kelly
