Who painted Portrait of a woman in a red scarf?

Portrait of a woman in a red scarf was painted by Joseph Sonntag in 1824.

Where can I see Portrait of a woman in a red scarf?

Portrait of a woman in a red scarf is held by National Museum in Warsaw.

What movement is Portrait of a woman in a red scarf?

Portrait of a woman in a red scarf is associated with Biedermeier.

Artwork

Portrait of a woman in a red scarf

Joseph Sonntag , 1824

Portrait of a woman in a red scarf is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Joseph Sonntag. It dates from 1824 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1824 by the German painter Joseph Sonntag, this oil on canvas depicts a solitary female sitter. The work is part of the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, where it is displayed among the museum’s 19th‑century European holdings.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait presents a young woman adorned with a white lace cap tied with a red bow, a ruffled collar, and a light‑toned dress with puffed sleeves. A vivid red scarf rests on her shoulder, contrasting with the muted background and emphasizing her poised, contemplative expression.

Technique & Style

Sonntag employs a delicate handling of paint, especially evident in the smooth rendering of skin and textiles. The soft transitions between light and shadow create a subtle chiaroscuro effect, while the bold red of the scarf serves as a focal point that guides the viewer’s eye across the composition.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the painting entered private collections before being acquired by the National Museum in Warsaw in the early 20th century. It has remained in the museum’s permanent collection, contributing to the institution’s representation of early Romantic portraiture.

Artist & collection

Artist

Joseph Sonntag

Joseph Sonntag painted formal portraits in the early 1800s. His brush captured Józia Walicka holding a dove around 1812, Franciszek Ksawery Christiani’s dignified face in 1822, and a woman lost in a red scarf two years…