Who painted Head of an Old Lady?

Head of an Old Lady was painted by Thomas Lawrence in 1809.

Where can I see Head of an Old Lady?

Head of an Old Lady is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Head of an Old Lady

Head of an Old Lady is an oil painting by Thomas Lawrence. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Thomas Lawrence’s *Head of an Old Lady* dates from around 1809 and is executed in oil on canvas. The work presents a half‑length view of an elderly woman, rendered only partially, with her shoulders and face emerging from a warm, golden background. The painting remains unfinished, offering insight into Lawrence’s process as he blocked in the sitter’s features.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is an unnamed older woman, depicted with a neutral, introspective expression. Her partially rendered visage and simple attire suggest a focus on character rather than status, inviting viewers to contemplate the quiet dignity of age.

Technique & Style

Lawrence employed a loose, sketch‑like approach, laying down the outline and initial modeling of the face with oil paint. The warm, golden ground serves to unify the limited palette, while the unfinished areas reveal the artist’s method of building form through tonal modulation rather than detailed finish.

History & Provenance

Created during Lawrence’s early London period, the portrait entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of British portraiture. Its unfinished state provides a rare glimpse into the artist’s studio practice.

Context

At the time of this work, Lawrence was establishing himself as a leading portraitist, transitioning from pastel work in Bath to oil commissions in the capital. The painting reflects the early‑19th‑century British interest in realistic, individualized portraiture, preceding his later, more polished society portraits.