Artwork
Profile Portrait of a Young Lady
Profile Portrait of a Young Lady is an oil painting. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is an oil painting executed on a wooden panel, depicting a woman shown in profile.
About this work
Overview
The work is an oil painting executed on a wooden panel, depicting a woman shown in profile. She is dressed in a black dress and a white hat adorned with a blue ribbon, and she looks toward the right. The composition is set against a dark gray circular background, emphasizing the figure’s silhouette.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents a solitary female figure, rendered in a restrained manner that highlights her attire and the subtle contrast between light and shadow. The simplicity of the clothing and the muted setting suggest an emphasis on personal presence rather than narrative detail.
Technique & Style
Rendered in oil, the artist employs a limited palette and smooth brushwork to model the figure’s form. The use of a dark circular backdrop and the profile pose reflect conventions associated with Romantic portraiture, focusing on emotional resonance through compositional restraint.
History & Provenance
The painting is identified as a Romantic-era work, though specific details about its creation date, artist, or ownership history are not provided in the available information.
Artist & collection
