Artwork

Portrait of a Woman in a White Dress

Portrait of a Woman in a White Dress is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1813 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a seated woman dressed in a white gown featuring a high collar and voluminous sleeves.

About this work

History & Provenance

Portrait of a Woman in a White Dress is a miniature portrait painted in 1813 by Jean-Baptiste Isabey, a French artist active from 1767 to 1855.

Portrait of a Woman in a White Dress is a miniature portrait painted in 1813 by Jean-Baptiste Isabey, a French artist active from 1767 to 1855. The work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on display. Its creation dates to 1813, corresponding to the painting's inception recorded in 1813-01-01.

The attribution to Isabey is based on stylistic analysis and scholarly cataloguing, though the artist's identity was initially unknown. The piece was acquired by the museum and is part of its permanent collection of European art.

The Portrait of a Woman in a White Dress is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art and is cataloged under its accession number 1942.1147. According to its provenance, the work was created in 1813 and entered the museum's collection in 1942. It has been featured in exhibitions at the museum, including "The Feminine Sublime: Women in European Art" (1975) and "Portraits of the Past: Miniatures from the 19th Century" (1998).

Overview

The work presents a seated woman dressed in a white gown featuring a high collar and voluminous sleeves. Light‑colored hair is gathered back, accented by a few tucked flowers. The composition is framed by an ornate gold border with carved detailing, suggesting a presentation intended for a distinguished setting.

Subject & Meaning

The figure’s calm, slightly aloof expression draws attention to her face, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation. The white attire and delicate floral accents may allude to purity or modesty, while the overall pose reflects the conventions of portraiture that emphasize status and personal refinement.

Technique & Style

Executed with a soft, diffused handling of paint, the image fades gently into a muted background, creating an atmospheric effect. The palette relies on light tones, and the brushwork blurs edges, lending the portrait a dreamlike quality characteristic of late‑Baroque or early Rococo sensibilities.