Artwork
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman is an ivory painting. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The medium enabled delicate handling of features and a polished finish, while the small format concentrated attention on the sitter's likeness.
The work is executed in miniature on ivory, a support favored in late eighteenth-century portrait practice for its smooth, luminous surface that allowed painters to achieve fine detail and subtle tonal transitions. Classified as a painting rather than a drawing, the portrait is of intimate scale consistent with ivory miniatures intended for personal keepsakes or jewelry settings. The medium enabled delicate handling of features and a polished finish, while the small format concentrated attention on the sitter's likeness.
Held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, the piece reflects the technical conventions of French portrait miniatures of its period.
History & Provenance
The ivory miniature Portrait of a Woman is dated to 1796. Executed by an unidentified French painter, the work entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection and is recorded under accession number 24.80.514, where it remains housed as part of the museum's European paintings holdings. No earlier owners, commissions, or exhibition history prior to its acquisition are recorded in the available sources.
Overview
This artwork, titled Portrait of a Woman, is a painting executed on ivory. It depicts an unidentified female sitter, presenting a detailed likeness that emphasizes her features and attire. Currently held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the piece exemplifies the genre of portraiture, focusing on individual representation through a refined artistic approach.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of the portrait is a woman with curly hair, rendered with careful attention to individual strands. She is depicted wearing a white dress, which contrasts with a dark shawl draped over her shoulders. Her gaze is directed forward, meeting the viewer directly, while her expression conveys a sense of composure and tranquility, contributing to the overall serene character of the depiction.
Artist & collection
