Who painted Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman was painted by Charles Howard Hodges in 1812.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is associated with Neoclassicism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Woman?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Woman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

Charles Howard Hodges , 1812

Portrait of a Woman is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Charles Howard Hodges. It dates from 1812 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1812 by Charles Howard Hodges, an English artist who spent much of his career in the Netherlands, this oil painting presents a solitary female sitter. Executed in a neoclassical manner, the work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s holdings and exemplifies the period’s interest in restrained elegance and individualized portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas portrays an unnamed woman seated in a modest pose, her attire consisting of a dark brown gown with a high, lace‑trimmed neckline. Her hair is gathered softly and accented with modest floral and ribbon ornaments, suggesting a genteel yet unpretentious status. The lack of identifying attributes leaves the figure’s personal narrative open to interpretation.

Technique & Style

Hodges renders the dress with meticulous attention to the cascading folds and the delicate texture of the lace collar, employing a subtle chiaroscuro that isolates the sitter from a muted background. The light falls on her face, accentuating its contours, while the surrounding darkness serves to concentrate the viewer’s gaze on the nuanced surface details.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the portrait entered private collections before being acquired by the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display. Hodges’ activity in the Dutch art scene of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries situates the work within a transnational exchange of artistic ideas between England and the Netherlands.