Portrait of a Woman

1790s

Richard Cosway

Associated Names
Richard Cosway

Artist, British, 1740/1742 - 1821

The image shows a three-quarter view portrait of a woman, capturing her from the waist up. She is positioned facing slightly to her right with her head slightly turned toward the viewer. The woman's facial features are softly defined, with a delicate expression, subtle smile, and large eyes gazing forward. Her hair is curly, spilling out from beneath a fabric cap or headdress that covers most of her head. She is wearing a light-colored, ruffled gown with a low neckline that highlights her graceful neck, around which she wears a simple pearl necklace. The background is plain and unembellished, emphasizing the subject herself, and the oval shape of the portrait gives a classic and elegant framing to the composition.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    watercolor over graphite on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Howard Sturges

  • Dimensions

    overall (oval): 22 x 16.6 cm (8 11/16 x 6 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1956.9.26


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Howard Sturges [d. 1955], Providence, Rhode Island; bequest 1956 to NGA.

Associated Names

Wikidata ID

Q64620473

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