Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Created in 1810, this portrait is executed in watercolor on an ivory support.
Created in 1810, this portrait is executed in watercolor on an ivory support. The work is a miniature, measuring approximately 6.4 by 5.4 units. As a piece housed within the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it exemplifies the delicate handling characteristic of early nineteenth-century portraiture on ivory.
The artist remains unknown, yet the application of the medium captures the likeness of a female subject with the fine detail afforded by the smooth, non-absorbent surface of the ivory. The composition focuses strictly on the depiction of the woman, utilizing the translucency of the watercolor to achieve subtle tonal variations typical of the genre during this period.
History & Provenance
The work titled Portrait of a Lady is attributed to an anonymous hand and was likely executed circa 1810 in watercolor on ivory. It portrays a woman and belongs to the portrait genre within The American Wing collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The painting entered the museum's holdings as accession 2006.235.305, establishing its current provenance; no earlier ownership records or commission details are documented.
Stylistic and material analysis places its creation in the early nineteenth century, aligning with the date recorded in cataloguing data. The work remains on view in the museum's decorative arts galleries.
Overview
This delicate "Portrait of a Lady" is a miniature rendered in watercolor on ivory. The small-scale format was common for personal portraits during its era. It depicts a woman with dark hair, her gaze directed forward, set against a simple background.
Her attire includes a high-necked white dress, and her complexion is subtly flushed, characteristic of the medium's ability to capture fine detail.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a woman whose dark hair is neatly styled, complementing her high-necked white dress. Her direct gaze engages the viewer, while her softly pink cheeks suggest a naturalistic portrayal. Such intimate portraits were often created to be kept close, reflecting a personal connection between the sitter and the owner, frequently carried as keepsakes or worn in lockets.
Context
Miniature portraits, like this "Portrait of a Lady," gained considerable popularity for their portability and intimate scale. Their small size made them ideal for personal adornment, often set into lockets or small frames to be carried by their owners. This particular work is housed within The American Wing, indicating its place within a collection focused on art from the United States.
Artist & collection
