Artwork

Portrait of Mrs. Smith Barwell, née Unwin

Portrait of Mrs. Smith Barwell, née Unwin, by James Northcote, oil, 1793
Portrait of Mrs. Smith Barwell, née Unwin, by James Northcote, oil, 1793

Portrait of Mrs. Smith Barwell, née Unwin is an oil painting by James Northcote. It dates from 1793 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

About this work

This painting depicts a woman in a dark dress with a red sash around her waist, wearing a large black hat adorned with white feathers.

This painting depicts a woman in a dark dress with a red sash around her waist, wearing a large black hat adorned with white feathers. Her curly hair is visible beneath the hat, and she wears a pearl necklace. The background features trees and a cloudy sky.

The woman's attire and hairstyle suggest a formal portrait from the 18th century. The artist's use of oil paint adds depth and texture to the image.

For more information on the artist behind this portrait, explore the works of James Northcote.

Overview

This oil painting, created by James Northcote in 1793, is a portrait of Mrs. Smith Barwell, née Unwin. It is part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts a woman dressed in formal 18th-century attire, featuring a dark dress with a red sash, a large black hat with white feathers, and a pearl necklace. Her curly hair is visible beneath the hat, set against a backdrop of trees and a cloudy sky.

Technique & Style

The artist's use of oil paint achieves a sense of depth and texture in the image, characteristic of formal portraiture from the period.

Artist & collection

Portrait of James Northcote

Artist

James Northcote

James Northcote was a British painter. He became a member of the Royal Academy in 1787, and a member of the Royal Institute of the Netherlands in 1809.