Who painted Head of a Woman?

Head of a Woman was painted by Seth Wells Cheney.

Where can I see Head of a Woman?

Head of a Woman is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Head of a Woman?

Head of a Woman is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Head of a Woman

Seth Wells Cheney

Head of a Woman is a charcoal drawing by the Romanticist artist Seth Wells Cheney. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Head of a Woman is a charcoal drawing on wove paper executed by American artist Seth Wells Cheney in 1847. The work measures a modest size and presents a close‑up view of a female sitter, emphasizing the head and upper shoulders against an unadorned background.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts a woman with her hair pulled back and dressed in a high‑necked garment trimmed with simple lace. The composition isolates the figure, directing attention to the sitter’s expression and the subtle play of light across her face, suggesting a quiet, introspective presence.

Technique & Style

Cheney employed soft charcoal for the majority of the modeling, building form through layered strokes that render the skin with a gentle three‑dimensionality. Fine applications of white chalk introduce highlights on the cheekbones and collarbone, while the overall surface shows a delicate scumbling effect that softens transitions and unifies the tonal range.

History & Provenance

Created in 1847, the drawing belongs to the early period of Cheney’s career, when he was establishing his reputation as a draftsman. The work has remained in private collections before entering its current institutional setting, where it is catalogued as a representative example of mid‑nineteenth‑century American portrait drawing.