Where can I see Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Young Woman?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Young Woman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a Young Woman

L. de Vuillemin , 1849

Portrait of a Young Woman is an oil painting by the Realist artist L. de Vuillemin. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. L.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left: L. de Vuillemin / 1849

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting presents a young woman as its central figure, identified in the documentation as the main subject and depicted as a woman.

The painting presents a young woman as its central figure, identified in the documentation as the main subject and depicted as a woman. No specific iconographic attributes or symbolic elements are recorded in the sources; the work is classified simply as a portrait, reflecting the conventional mid-19th-century practice of representing women in a straightforward, idealized manner. The subject's identity is not further explained, and the painting's meaning is therefore tied to its function as a portrait rather than to any documented symbolic narrative.

History & Provenance

Portrait of a Young Woman was painted by L. de Vuillemin in 1849 in oil on canvas. The documented ownership chain begins with Galerie Pierre Colle in Paris, which sold the work on 1 July 1931 to the American collector Chester Dale (1883–1962) of New York. Following Dale's death, the painting entered his estate and was bequeathed in 1964 to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it remains in the collection.

No information on a commission or earlier provenance prior to Galerie Pierre Colle is recorded in the available sources.

Overview

L. de Vuillemin's "Portrait of a Young Woman," created in 1849, is an oil on canvas painting. This artwork presents a seated female figure, whose serene expression and composed posture are central to the composition. The artist's focus on the subject's face establishes a quiet intimacy, inviting contemplation of her presence within the depicted interior space.

Technique & Style

Vuillemin employed a restrained palette, utilizing simple colors to cultivate a pervasive sense of calm throughout the portrait. The artist deliberately minimized detail in the woman's attire and the surrounding environment. This stylistic choice ensures that the viewer's attention is consistently directed towards the subject's face, highlighting its subtle expressions and reinforcing the painting's tranquil mood.

Context

This portrait offers insight into the artistic practice of L. de Vuillemin during the mid-19th century. As one example of the artist's output, it contributes to a broader understanding of his approach to portraiture and his overall body of work. Further examination of Vuillemin's other paintings can provide additional perspectives on his stylistic tendencies and thematic interests.