Portrait of a Lady

Unidentified, Portrait of a Lady, 1800, miniature in relief (wax), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Edith Coon Carr, 1966.4.2
Copied Unidentified, Portrait of a Lady, 1800, miniature in relief (wax), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Edith Coon Carr, 1966.4.2
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Artwork Details

Title
Portrait of a Lady
Artist
Unidentified
Date
1800
Location
Not on view
Credit Line
Bequest of Edith Coon Carr
Mediums Description
miniature in relief (wax)
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait female — unidentified — profile
  • Portrait female — unidentified — elderly
  • Dress — accessory — hat
  • Portrait female — unidentified — bust
Object Number
1966.4.2
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1966.4.2

Artwork Description

In the 1780s, women began wearing large mobcaps, which were made out of gauze or net. In this miniature the woman’s ruffled cap covers her entire head and has a large mauve bow in the front and a smaller one in the back. The artist portrayed the woman in profile to highlight the diamond earring that twinkles against her shawl. Her slight smile suggests she expected to be admired for her jewelry, which symbolized her wealth and status.