Who painted Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman was painted by Richard Cosway in 1794.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman?

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

What movement is Portrait of a Woman?

Portrait of a Woman is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

Richard Cosway , 1794

Portrait of a Woman is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Richard Cosway. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work titled *Portrait of a Woman* is a small-scale drawing executed in watercolor applied over a graphite underdrawing on wove paper. Attributed to the English artist Richard Cosway, it dates from around 1794, placing it in the late eighteenth‑century period of his career.

Technique & Style

Cosway employed a delicate watercolor wash to render flesh tones and clothing, allowing the underlying graphite sketch to guide the composition. The use of wove paper provides a smooth surface that enhances the fine linear detail characteristic of his portraiture, while the translucent pigments create a subtle atmospheric effect.

History & Provenance

The drawing is recorded as a work by Cosway from the mid‑1790s, though its ownership history prior to modern collection is not documented in the available sources. Its attribution rests on stylistic analysis and comparison with other signed works by the artist from the same period.