Artwork

Portrait of a Lady

Portrait of a Lady, watercolor, 1835
Portrait of a Lady, watercolor, 1835

Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created in 1835 by an unknown artist, the piece functions as a formal portrait intended to capture the likeness of this individual.

The work depicts a single female subject, identified simply as a woman in the absence of a specific named sitter. Created in 1835 by an unknown artist, the piece functions as a formal portrait intended to capture the likeness of this individual. As an anonymous creation, the subject's personal identity and social status remain undocumented within the available records.

The iconography is limited to the standard conventions of mid-nineteenth-century portraiture, focusing on the representation of the woman herself without additional symbolic attributes or narrative elements described in the sources.

Technique & Style

Created in 1835 by an unidentified artist, this portrait utilizes watercolor applied to an ivory support. The work is classified as a miniature painting, characterized by its small physical dimensions of approximately 6.1 by 5 centimeters. The medium of watercolor on ivory was a standard technique for portable portraiture during this period, allowing for fine detail and a luminous skin tone effect typical of the genre.

The composition focuses exclusively on a female subject, adhering to the conventions of early nineteenth-century American portraiture found within the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Overview

This small artwork, titled Portrait of a Lady, is rendered in watercolor on ivory. It depicts a woman dressed in a dark gown, her face softly illuminated as she gazes directly forward. A delicate lace collar adorns her neck, and she holds a single pink rose.

The plain background ensures the viewer's attention remains on the subject, highlighting the intimate scale and detailed execution characteristic of this medium.

Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady, Lawrence Sully

Artist & collection

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady is associated with British Romanticism.