Artwork
A Seated Young Woman Wearing a Fashionable Hat
A Seated Young Woman Wearing a Fashionable Hat is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Carl Wilhelm Kolbe. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1802 by German draughtsman Carl Wilhelm Kolbe, this drawing depicts a young woman seated upright, her head turned slightly to the right. Executed in black chalk on laid paper, the work measures the intimate scale typical of portrait studies of the early nineteenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is presented in a modest, high‑necked dress with short sleeves, her hair arranged in an elaborate updo accented by flowers and ribbons. Her posture—right hand resting on her lap, left hand on her knee—conveys a calm, poised demeanor, reflecting contemporary ideals of feminine elegance and refinement.
Technique & Style
Kolbe employs fine black chalk strokes to render the texture of the fabric, the subtle folds of the dress, and the delicate details of the hair ornamentation. The drawing’s realistic handling and attention to surface qualities align with the Romantic period’s focus on individual expression through precise, emotive rendering.
History & Provenance
The piece originates from the artist’s early career, a time when Kolbe was active in portraiture and genre scenes. While specific ownership records are limited, the drawing remains a representative example of his work from the turn of the 19th century, illustrating his skill in capturing contemporary fashion and personal presence.
Artist & collection
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Maria Cosway with Her Daughter Louisa
Woman in a Feathered Turban, Turned to the Right
Marie-Victoire Févret de Saint-Mémin
Girl with a Crown of Flowers
Female Costume Study
A Fashionable Woman Standing in a Park
Seated Woman Sewing
Jeune femme
Eleanor Ramsay Fitzwilliam
Head of a Young Woman