Artwork

Portrait of a Woman

Portrait of a Woman, by Jean Petitot, unspecified, 1670
Portrait of a Woman, by Jean Petitot, unspecified, 1670

Portrait of a Woman is an unspecified portrait miniature by the Barbizon school artist Jean Petitot. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This portrait miniature depicts a serene woman in a dark dress and white lace collar.

About this work

Overview

This portrait miniature depicts a serene woman in a dark dress and white lace collar. Created using enamel paint on metal, the artwork showcases the artist's skill in capturing subtle expressions.

Technique & Style

The portrait was made by layering tiny amounts of colored glass, which were then melted onto a metal surface through a process involving multiple firings at different temperatures. This labor-intensive technique allowed for remarkable subtlety and luminosity.

History & Provenance

The artist, Petitot, was a renowned enamel specialist who worked for several royal patrons, including King Charles I of England and King Louis XIV of France, before settling in Geneva. His work is also represented in The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jean Petitot

Artist

Jean Petitot

Jean Petitot (July 12, 1607 – April 3, 1691) was an enamel painter from the Republic of Geneva, who spent most of his career working for the courts of France and England.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.