Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor painting by the American Folk Art artist William P. Sheys. It dates from 1813 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. William P.
- Accession no.
- 1998.349
- Credit line
- Funds from various donors, 1998
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The source material identifies the subject simply as a woman without specifying her name, social status, or any allegorical role.
The work portrays an unidentified woman shown in profile, serving as the singular main subject of the composition. Executed in 1813 by William P. Sheys, the piece functions strictly as a portrait, focusing on the likeness and presence of the female figure. The source material identifies the subject simply as a woman without specifying her name, social status, or any allegorical role.
Consequently, the iconography remains limited to the conventions of early nineteenth-century portraiture, emphasizing the individual's profile rather than embedding complex symbolic narratives or representing broader abstract concepts. The depiction relies on the direct visual representation of the sitter, with no additional figures or objects cited to suggest deeper layers of meaning beyond the act of portraiture itself.
Technique & Style
Created in 1813, this portrait by William P. Sheys is executed in watercolor on an ivory support, a traditional medium for miniature portraiture of the era. The work depicts a woman in profile, adhering to the formal conventions of the genre. The piece measures 8.3 cm in height and 6.7 cm in width.
As a watercolor on ivory, the technique relies on the translucency of the pigment to interact with the luminous quality of the ivory base, allowing for delicate modeling of the subject's features. The composition focuses strictly on the profile view of the female sitter, characteristic of the artist's approach to the form during the early nineteenth century.
History & Provenance
Portrait of a Lady is a watercolor on ivory portrait painted by William P. Sheys in 1813. It measures 8.3 × 6.7 cm and portrays a woman in profile, reflecting early-19th-century American miniaturist practice. The piece was created as a private commission and entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is listed in The American Wing.
The sources do not provide a specific inventory or accession number, nor do they document any exhibition history for the work.
Overview
William P. Sheys created this "Portrait of a Lady" in 1813. Executed in watercolor on ivory, the small-scale work presents a woman in profile. This intimate format was characteristic of miniature painting during the early 19th century, often serving as a personal keepsake or decorative item. The artwork is part of the American Wing collection, reflecting its historical context within American art.
Artist & collection
- Portrait of a Lady
Anna Claypoole Peale
Mrs. Manigault Heyward (Susan Hayne Simmons)
Rebecca Wetherill
Mrs. Richard Wilmot Hall (Eliza Taylor)
Mrs. Nathaniel Bowen (Margaret Blake)
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Lady
Mrs. Nathaniel Chapman (Rebekah Biddle)
Mrs. Robert Macomb (Mary Cornell Pell )
Mrs. John A. Brown (Grace Brown)
Portrait of a Surinamese Girl
