Artwork
Doña Josefa de la Cotera y Calvo de la Puerta
Doña Josefa de la Cotera y Calvo de la Puerta is an oil painting by Unknown. It dates from 1816 and is held in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum. The oil painting portrays a woman dressed in a white gown accented by a black shawl featuring a floral motif and tassels.
About this work
Overview
The oil painting portrays a woman dressed in a white gown accented by a black shawl featuring a floral motif and tassels. She is shown with her hair pulled back, a ring on her right hand, and set against a dark background that emphasizes her figure. A red crest bearing a crown appears in the upper left corner of the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified as Doña Josefa de la Cotera y Calvo de la Puerta, is presented with an air of elegance and social standing, suggested by her refined attire and modest jewelry. The restrained pose and subdued expression convey a dignified presence, typical of portraiture intended to record status and personal identity in the period.
Technique & Style
The artist employs chiaroscuro, contrasting the illuminated white dress and face with the surrounding deep shadows to create a three‑dimensional effect. This manipulation of light not only models the figure’s forms but also directs attention to the subject’s facial features and hands, enhancing the visual focus on her expression and gestures.
History & Provenance
The work is an oil on canvas portrait of Doña Josefa, though specific details about its creation date, artist, and subsequent ownership are not provided in the source material. Consequently, the painting’s provenance remains undocumented within the available information.
Artist & collection
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