Who painted Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady was painted by Unknown in 1750.

Where can I see Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Portrait of a Lady

Portrait of a Lady is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created around 1750, this portrait depicts a seated woman rendered by the artist identified as 37369_person.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1750, this portrait depicts a seated woman rendered by the artist identified as 37369_person. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of mid‑eighteenth‑century portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is presented with light, curled hair and a composed expression, holding an open book in her hands. The inclusion of the volume suggests literacy or scholarly interests, while the high‑necked dark dress and lace‑trimmed sleeves convey a sense of modest elegance typical of genteel women of the period.

Technique & Style

The painter employs a chiaroscuro effect, using a deep, uniform background to isolate the figure. Soft, diffused lighting models the facial features and drapery, creating subtle gradations of tone that give the portrait a three‑dimensional presence without harsh contrast.

History & Provenance

Since its creation in the mid‑1700s, the painting has remained within institutional holdings, eventually entering the Museum of Ethnography’s collection. Documentation traces its acquisition to the museum’s early 20th‑century expansion of European portrait holdings.