Artwork
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Joseph Wright of Derby. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Joseph Wright of Derby completed *Portrait of a Woman* in 1770, utilizing oil paint to create this work. The English artist, recognized for both his portraits and landscapes, was active during the Rococo period. This painting is currently held within the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a facet of Wright's extensive artistic output.
Technique & Style
He frequently incorporated tenebrism, a dramatic contrast between light and shadow, into his compositions to create depth and focus.
Wright of Derby executed this portrait using oil paint, a common medium of the era. He frequently incorporated tenebrism, a dramatic contrast between light and shadow, into his compositions to create depth and focus. While the Rococo movement often emphasized lightness and ornate detail, Wright's application of chiaroscuro elements lent a distinctive intensity to his works, including this particular portrait.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features a woman adorned in a pink dress, accented by a black belt with gold detailing, and a white shawl draped over her left shoulder. Her right hand is gloved in white, and her dark hair is styled upwards, adorned with a matching pink ribbon. She is seated in a chair with a dark wooden back, positioned beside a table covered with a white cloth, against a dark brown wall and a gold curtain.
History & Provenance
Created in 1770, *Portrait of a Woman* has since become part of a prominent public collection. The painting is presently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it contributes to the institution's holdings of 18th-century European art. Its acquisition by the museum ensures its accessibility and preservation for scholarly study and public appreciation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Wright (3 September 1734 – 29 August 1797), styled Joseph Wright of Derby, was an English painter who specialised in portrait painting and landscape art.
