Artwork

Portrait of a Woman with a Lace Cap

Portrait of a Woman with a Lace Cap, by Micah Williams, pastel, 1823
Portrait of a Woman with a Lace Cap, by Micah Williams, pastel, 1823

Portrait of a Woman with a Lace Cap is a pastel drawing by the Romanticist artist Micah Williams. It dates from 1823 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of a Woman with a Lace Cap is a pastel drawing created by Micah Williams around 1823. The artwork is executed on a layered paper support, with the final backing sheet being a piece of newsprint dated 1823.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts a seated woman wearing a tall white lace cap and a black dress, holding a small red object in her left hand. Her calm demeanor and direct gaze convey a sense of serenity. The plain green background and carved armrest of her chair provide a simple yet elegant setting.

Technique & Style

The use of pastel on paper gives the portrait a soft, delicate appearance with subtle color nuances. The chalky texture of the pastel medium contributes to the dreamy quality of the image, while the layered paper support adds a layer of historical complexity to the work.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.