Artwork

Jeune femme (Lady in blue) (Mujer joven vestida de azul)

Jeune femme (Lady in blue) (Mujer joven vestida de azul), by James Latham, oil, 1731
Jeune femme (Lady in blue) (Mujer joven vestida de azul), by James Latham, oil, 1731

Jeune femme (Lady in blue) (Mujer joven vestida de azul) is an oil painting by James Latham. It dates from 1731 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina.

About this work

Overview

Jeune femme (Lady in blue) is an oil painting created by James Latham around 1731, currently part of the collection at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a young woman with a gentle smile, adorned with flowers in her brown hair. Her attire, consisting of a blue dress with a white collar, puffy sleeves, and a visible red underdress, conveys elegance and refinement.

Technique & Style

Latham employed meticulous attention to detail, evident in the rendering of the dress folds and the subject's subtle facial expression. The warm brown background complements the subject, while the interplay of colors and lighting may suggest the use of chiaroscuro techniques.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1731, the painting is now housed at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, though specific details of its provenance before acquisition are not provided here.

Context

The artwork reflects the artistic preferences of the early 18th century, with its focus on portraiture, attention to textile detail, and the implied use of chiaroscuro, common in Baroque and early Rococo periods.

Legacy

While specific influences or direct artistic lineage are not detailed, the painting contributes to the broader understanding of early 18th-century portraiture and the international reach of European artistic trends during this period.

Artist & collection

Portrait of James Latham

Artist

James Latham

James Latham (1696–1747) was an artist.