Artwork
Portrait of Suzanna de Roth (1789-1822)

Portrait of Suzanna de Roth (1789-1822) is an ivory painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
The work is an ivory panel painting executed circa 1820 in the Northern Low Countries, depicting Suzanna de Roth (1789-1822) as a formal portrait.
The work is an ivory panel painting executed circa 1820 in the Northern Low Countries, depicting Suzanna de Roth (1789-1822) as a formal portrait. Executed on a small ivory support measuring 9 by 7.5 centimeters, the technique emphasizes fine detail and delicate tonal rendering characteristic of early 19th-century portraiture. The composition presents the sitter in a conventional seated pose with restrained gestures, reflecting the period's emphasis on clarity and elegance in likeness.
The painting's surface condition remains stable, though minor wear is evident along the edges of the ivory support, consistent with the material's fragility over time. This work is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection and exemplifies anonymous portraiture within the broader European miniature tradition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1820 within the Northern Low Countries, this ivory portrait depicts Suzanna de Roth (1789–1822). The work is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the identity of the artist remain unrecorded in available documentation, the piece is classified as an anonymous painting. The physical object measures 9 cm in height and 7.5 cm in width.
The Portrait of Suzanna de Roth (1789–1822) is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The work, an anonymous ivory portrait dated to 1820, is cataloged within the museum's holdings as an entry from the Northern Low Countries. While the specific inventory or accession number is not detailed in the available records, the piece remains part of the institution's permanent collection of portraits.
Legacy
The portrait's legacy is anchored in its inclusion in the Rijksmuseum collection, where it is cataloged as an anonymous ivory painting from the Northern Low Countries created in 1820. This attribution highlights its significance within the museum's holdings of early 19th-century portraiture and its role in preserving the visual culture of the Netherlands during that period.
The work's reputation stems from its material uniqueness as an ivory portrait, a medium relatively rare in Dutch painting of the era, and its stylistic contribution to the genre of formal portraiture in the early Romantic period.
Overview
Portrait of Suzanna de Roth is an ivory painting depicting a woman from the waist up, characterized by a realistic style, attention to detail, and a muted color palette, conveying an atmosphere of quiet dignity.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Suzanna de Roth (1789-1822), is portrayed with a neutral expression, dressed in a detailed blue gown with white lace trim, and an elegant updo, suggesting a representation of refinement and possibly her social standing.
Context
Given the subject's attire and the painting's style, it likely reflects the early 19th-century European portrait tradition, emphasizing the depiction of the emerging bourgeoisie or nobility with dignity and realism.
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