Artwork
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work titled Portrait of a Woman, painted in 1780 by an anonymous Swiss artist, presents a single female sitter rendered in the traditional portrait genre.
The work titled Portrait of a Woman, painted in 1780 by an anonymous Swiss artist, presents a single female sitter rendered in the traditional portrait genre. It is classified as a painting and is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. The subject is an unidentified woman, depicted without additional attributes, allowing the composition to focus on likeness and dress typical of late‑18th‑century portraiture.
As a portrait, the piece serves to record the sitter’s appearance and likely conveys social status through clothing and pose, though specific symbolic elements are not documented.
History & Provenance
The Portrait of a Woman is dated to 1780 and is attributed to an anonymous Swiss painter. The work is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as a portrait. It remains in the Met's collection as recorded in the museum's records.
No earlier ownership records, commission details, or exhibition history are provided in the available sources, leaving the provenance prior to its acquisition by the Met undocumented.
Overview
This small painting, titled Portrait of a Woman, presents a serene female subject within an ornate metal frame. The artwork's modest scale and meticulous execution suggest it was intended as a personal memento. The subject's composed gaze and elegant attire, featuring a tall feathered hat, contribute to its refined yet intimate character, typical of private portraiture.
Technique & Style
The painting exhibits a precise and understated technique. The artist employed a neat application of paint, avoiding prominent brushstrokes or dramatic chiaroscuro effects. This meticulous approach results in a smooth, finished surface that prioritizes clarity and detail over expressive painterly gestures, aligning with a tradition of refined and accessible portraiture.
Artist & collection
- Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Young Woman
Portrait of a Woman as Diana
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman
Frederika Sophia Wilhelmina (1751-1820), prinses van Pruisen. Echtgenote van prins Willem V
Snuffbox with portrait of a member of the French royal family, probably a daughter of Louis XV
Frederica Louisa Wilhelmina (1770-1819). Prinses van Oranje-Nassau. Daughter of Willem V & Wilhelmina van Pruisen
Portret van een vrouw
