Artwork
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1805 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Executed on ivory around 1805, the work employs watercolor washes to capture delicate facial features typical of the genre.
The painting shows an unnamed female sitter rendered in the tradition of early-19th-century portrait miniatures. Executed on ivory around 1805, the work employs watercolor washes to capture delicate facial features typical of the genre. No explicit iconographic attributes or symbolic objects accompany the figure, indicating that its significance rests on the conventional portrayal of a respectable woman of the period.
The piece is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as a portrait miniature (1926.233).
Technique & Style
The work is executed as a portrait miniature on ivory, using watercolor as the medium. Handling emphasizes fine, delicate brushwork suited to the small scale, with careful attention to facial features and costume details typical of miniature portraiture. Stylistically, the piece adheres to early nineteenth-century conventions in its restrained palette, smooth modeling, and emphasis on clarity and refinement.
The ivory support, measuring approximately 7.6 × 6.4 cm, provides a luminous ground that enhances the luminosity of the watercolor pigments.
History & Provenance
The portrait miniature known as Portrait of a Woman was created in 1805. Executed in watercolor on ivory and attributed to an unknown artist, it is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland under the accession number 1926.233. The precise commissioning details and the chain of ownership prior to its acquisition by the museum are not detailed in the available records, which also list no specific exhibition history for the piece.
Overview
This painting, titled Portrait of a Woman, is rendered on a rare ivory support rather than the more common canvas. It depicts a woman with softly curled hair and a subtle, gentle smile. Dressed in a dark purple gown with a delicate lace sleeve, she is set against a muted, indistinct landscape under a pale sky.
The artist employed soft lighting and smooth rendering to convey a sense of tranquility in the subject's demeanor.
Artist & collection
