Who painted Amelia Alderson, the Artist's second Wife?

Amelia Alderson, the Artist's second Wife was painted by John Opie in 1794.

Where can I see Amelia Alderson, the Artist's second Wife?

Amelia Alderson, the Artist's second Wife is held by Ashmolean Museum.

Artwork

Amelia Alderson, the Artist's second Wife

Amelia Alderson, the Artist's second Wife is an oil painting by John Opie. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.

About this work

She is dressed in a white dress with ruffles around the neckline and sleeves, and her brown hair is styled in an updo.

The painting is a portrait of a woman, likely from the 18th or 19th century. She is dressed in a white dress with ruffles around the neckline and sleeves, and her brown hair is styled in an updo. The background of the painting is dark, which helps to highlight the subject's features.

The woman's expression is calm and serene, with a subtle hint of a smile. Her eyes are cast downward, giving the impression that she is lost in thought. The overall effect of the painting is one of quiet contemplation.

This portrait is reminiscent of the work of John Opie, an artist known for his skillful use of chiaroscuro.

Overview

John Opie’s oil portrait, created circa 1794, presents Amelia Alderson, his second wife, in a restrained yet intimate composition. The work is part of the Ashmolean Museum’s collection, offering a glimpse into late‑eighteenth‑century British portraiture through its focused rendering of a single sitter against a subdued backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

Amelia Alderson, known within literary and artistic circles of her time, is shown in a white dress with delicate ruffles framing her neckline and sleeves. Her brown hair is gathered in an up‑do, and she gazes downward with a calm, slightly smiling expression, suggesting a moment of private reflection rather than public display.

Technique & Style

Opie employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the dark background to accentuate the luminous flesh tones and the crisp white of the dress. The brushwork is smooth in the facial features, while the fabric’s texture is suggested through subtle variations in tone, demonstrating the artist’s skill in balancing detail with atmospheric depth.

History & Provenance

Painted shortly after Opie’s marriage to Alderson, the portrait remained in private hands before entering the Ashmolean Museum’s holdings. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in documenting British portraiture of the period and provides a tangible link to Opie’s personal and professional life during the 1790s.

Artist & collection

Artist

John Opie

John Opie (16 May 1761 – 9 April 1807) was a British painter whose subjects included many prominent men and women of his day, members of the British royal family and others who were notable in the artistic and literary careers.