Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2006.235.226
- Credit line
- Fletcher Fund, 2006
About this work
Technique & Style
Created in 1820, this portrait is executed in watercolor on an ivory support, a medium characteristic of miniature painting during the early nineteenth century.
Created in 1820, this portrait is executed in watercolor on an ivory support, a medium characteristic of miniature painting during the early nineteenth century. The work measures approximately 7.5 by 5.6 cm, indicating a small-scale format intended for intimate viewing. Stylistically, the piece functions as a formal depiction of a woman, adhering to the conventions of the portrait genre.
The application of watercolor onto the smooth, non-absorbent surface of ivory requires precise handling to achieve the desired luminosity and detail. The object is classified within the American Wing, suggesting its origin and stylistic alignment with American artistic production of the period.
Legacy
The work's legacy is anchored in its documentation and display within the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, where it is catalogued as an 1820 watercolor portrait of an unidentified woman. Its inclusion in the museum's collection has made it a reference point for scholarship on early American portraiture and gender representation, ensuring its continued relevance in studies of nineteenth-century visual culture.
Overview
This small artwork, titled "Portrait of a Lady," is a watercolor miniature painted on a thin piece of ivory. Created by an unknown artist, it represents a common form of personal memento from an era before photography. Its compact size suggests it was intended to be held and viewed intimately, serving as a cherished likeness of an individual.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait features a woman adorned in a high-necked pink dress, her hair styled away from her face. She engages the viewer with a direct gaze, her cheeks subtly flushed, lending a sense of vitality to her expression. Despite the artist's anonymity, the meticulous attention to detail in rendering her features conveys a personal and heartfelt connection to the subject.
Context
Before the advent of photography, watercolor miniatures on ivory were a popular and practical method for individuals to carry images of loved ones. Their portability made them ideal keepsakes, often exchanged among family and friends. While the creator of this particular "Portrait of a Lady" remains unidentified, the work exemplifies the era's demand for such carefully crafted and intimate personal portraits.
Artist & collection
