Artwork
Lucia Leonard
Lucia Leonard is an oil painting by the Romanticist artist Luther Allen. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
It’s worth comparing Allen’s tight brushwork to Gilbert Stuart’s loose style.
This small portrait shows a young woman with fair skin and dark hair. She wears a simple dark dress with a white collar. Her direct gaze meets ours.
Painted in 1801, this is one of Luther Allen’s few known works. Allen rarely signed his paintings, so this one stands out. Lucia Leonard Burbank was just 22 when Allen painted her.
It’s worth comparing Allen’s tight brushwork to Gilbert Stuart’s loose style.
Overview
Lucia Leonard is an oil on canvas portrait created by Luther Allen in 1801. This small painting depicts Lucia Leonard Burbank, a young woman of 22 years at the time of its creation. She is presented with fair skin and dark hair, wearing a simple dark dress accented by a white collar. Her direct gaze engages the viewer, establishing an immediate connection.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, Allen's portrait of Lucia Leonard Burbank demonstrates a meticulous approach to brushwork. The artist employed a tight, controlled application of paint, which contrasts with the looser, more expressive techniques favored by some of his contemporaries, such as Gilbert Stuart. This precision contributes to the defined features and smooth surfaces visible in the sitter's depiction.
History & Provenance
This portrait stands as one of the few documented works by Luther Allen. The artist seldom signed his paintings, making "Lucia Leonard" a notable exception within his limited known oeuvre. Its existence provides valuable insight into Allen's practice and the commissions he undertook during the early 19th century, offering a rare glimpse into his artistic output.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
