Artwork
Miss Leman
Miss Leman is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist Jacob Eichholtz. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
The painting shows a woman in a pink dress with white lace trim. She has red hair pulled back and wears gold hoop earrings.
The woman's dress and hairstyle suggest a classic look from the early 19th century. The dark background makes her stand out.
If you like this painting, you might want to learn more about the movement: Romanticism.
Overview
Jacob Eichholtz’s portrait titled “Miss Leman” is an oil painting executed on a wooden panel around 1808. The work presents a young woman rendered in a restrained palette, set against a dark backdrop that isolates the figure and emphasizes her attire and features.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is depicted wearing a pink gown trimmed with white lace, her hair a vivid red and styled in a pulled‑back fashion typical of the early nineteenth century. Gold hoop earrings add a touch of ornamentation, suggesting a modest yet refined social status.
Technique & Style
Eichholtz employed oil on wood, a medium that allows fine detail and a smooth surface. The brushwork is delicate in the rendering of lace and hair, while broader strokes define the dark background, creating a clear contrast that highlights the subject’s facial expression and clothing.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1808, the portrait belongs to Eichholtz’s early career, a period when he was establishing his reputation as a portraitist in the United States. The painting’s later ownership records are limited, but it has remained within private collections before entering its current institutional setting.
Context
The work reflects the aesthetic preferences of the post‑colonial American elite, who favored European‑inspired fashion and restrained elegance. Its composition aligns with the broader Romantic sensibility of the era, emphasizing individual character and emotional presence within a simple setting.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
