Artwork
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The work is identified as a portrait miniature produced in 1775, a format that combines the genre of portraiture with the technical practice of small‑scale painted images; its classification as a painting and its presence in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection confirm its status as a compact portrait executed in the tradition of miniature portraiture. The piece exemplifies the formal conventions of the genre, featuring a focused facial likeness and limited compositional space typical of 18th‑century portrait miniatures.
History & Provenance
Portrait of a Woman was painted in 1775, as recorded in the internal catalogue and confirmed by the work’s inception date in the Wikidata entry.
Portrait of a Woman was painted in 1775, as recorded in the internal catalogue and confirmed by the work’s inception date in the Wikidata entry.
The piece is attributed to the British miniaturist John I Smart, though the original artist remains unidentified in the primary record.
It has been part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection since at least the late 20th century, listed under the museum’s holdings. The provenance reflects a straightforward transfer to the institution, with no earlier ownership details recorded.
Portrait of a Woman is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art. Its inventory number at the museum is 1997.82. The work, a portrait miniature by John I Smart dated 1775, is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. No exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Overview
This work, titled "Portrait of a Woman," functions as a preliminary study rather than a fully realized composition. Though classified as a painting, its small scale and rapid execution suggest an exploratory phase. The piece exhibits signs of wear, with subtle lines and a faded appearance, indicating it may have been frequently handled or revised during the artistic process. It offers a direct glimpse into the artist's initial engagement with the subject.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a woman's face, turned slightly to the side, with her hair neatly pulled back. Her expression is calm yet serious, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation. The artist deliberately chose a plain background, ensuring that the light illuminates her features distinctly and that the viewer's attention remains focused on her countenance and the subtle character it reveals.
Artist & collection
- Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of Sukey, Lady Oglander, née Serle
Portrait of Charlotte Bertie, née Warren, 4th Countess of Abingdon
Portrait of Sukey, Lady Oglander, née Serle
Mrs. Caroline Deas
Miss Ramus
Portrait of a Woman, Said to Be Lady Dering
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of Charlotte Bertie, née Warren, 4th Countess of Abingdon