Portrait of a Lady

Unidentified, Portrait of a Lady, ca. 1760, watercolor on ivory, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Mary Elizabeth Spencer, 1999.27.54
Copied Unidentified, Portrait of a Lady, ca. 1760, watercolor on ivory, sight 1 181 in. (3.02.4 cm) oval, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Mary Elizabeth Spencer, 1999.27.54
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Artwork Details

Title
Portrait of a Lady
Artist
Unidentified
Date
ca. 1760
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sight 1 181 in. (3.02.4 cm) oval
Credit Line
Bequest of Mary Elizabeth Spencer
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor on ivory
Classifications
Keywords
  • Portrait female — unidentified — bust
Object Number
1999.27.54

Artwork Description

In the 1760s, American artists learned from examples of English and Continental paintings. The distorted features and sketchy details of this portrait suggest it was painted by a novice. The woman’s crystal-clear blue eyes, however, are painted with more detail and meet the viewer’s gaze directly.