Who painted Portrait of Cecilia Leeson (born Leigh) (d.1737)?

Portrait of Cecilia Leeson (born Leigh) (d.1737) was painted by Anthony Lee in 1736.

Where can I see Portrait of Cecilia Leeson (born Leigh) (d.1737)?

Portrait of Cecilia Leeson (born Leigh) (d.1737) is held by National Gallery of Ireland.

What movement is Portrait of Cecilia Leeson (born Leigh) (d.1737)?

Portrait of Cecilia Leeson (born Leigh) (d.1737) is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Portrait of Cecilia Leeson (born Leigh) (d.1737)

Anthony Lee , 1736

Portrait of Cecilia Leeson (born Leigh) (d.1737) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Anthony Lee. It dates from 1736 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Anthony Lee’s 1736 oil portrait presents Cecilia Leeson, a young woman who passed away the following year. Rendered in a modestly sized canvas, the composition centers the sitter against a subdued brown backdrop, allowing the delicate tones of her attire and complexion to dominate the visual field.

Subject & Meaning

Cecilia is shown in a pale green gown with a crisp white chemise, her right hand lightly arranging her hair, suggesting a moment of private contemplation. The gentle smile and calm demeanor convey a sense of genteel poise typical of early‑18th‑century portraiture, emphasizing personal virtue and refined femininity.

Technique & Style

Lee employs a layered glazing method, building translucent washes over a detailed underdrawing to achieve the soft sheen of the silk dress and the luminous quality of the skin. The handling of light and shadow reflects Rococo sensibilities, with subtle gradations that model the folds of fabric and the sitter’s features.

History & Provenance

Completed a year before Leeson’s death, the portrait entered the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection in the early twentieth century, where it remains on view. Its provenance traces back to the Leeson family, providing a rare visual record of an individual from that period.