Artwork
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman is an ivory painting. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The portrait is enclosed within an elaborate frame, featuring a repeating, chain-like pattern that adds to its refined presentation.
This miniature artwork, titled Portrait of a Woman, is meticulously carved from a single piece of ivory. It depicts a woman with light, softly curled hair, gazing directly forward with a serene expression. She wears a plain white dress accented with delicate lace at the neckline.
The portrait is enclosed within an elaborate frame, featuring a repeating, chain-like pattern that adds to its refined presentation.
Technique & Style
The creation of this artwork involved the intricate process of carving directly into ivory, a material prized for its smooth texture and ability to hold fine detail. The small scale of the portrait required precision from the artisan, particularly in rendering the woman's delicate features and the elaborate decorative border. This method allowed for a durable and highly refined image, distinct from painted miniatures.
Context
Small, intricately carved portraits like this one served as significant luxury items, primarily commissioned and owned by affluent individuals. Such pieces functioned as personal mementos or displays of wealth and status, often exchanged among family members or close associates. Their precious material and detailed craftsmanship underscored their value, reflecting the social standing of both the sitter and the owner.
Artist & collection
- Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Young Woman
Bildnis einer jungen Prinzessin
Portrait of a Woman
Grevinde Margarethe Moltke, f. Løvenskiold
Portrait of a Woman, Said to Be the Comtesse de Guiche
Caroline of Ansbach (1683–1737), Consort of George II of Great Britain and Ireland
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman
A Lady
Grevinde Margarethe Moltke, f. Løvenskiold
The Reader
