Portrait of a Lady
ca. 1835
Medium
Watercolor on ivory
Dimensions
2 13/16 x 2 1/4 in. (7.1 x 5.6 cm)
Classification
Painting, miniature
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Dale T. Johnson Fund, 2006
Accession Number
2006.235.56
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created around 1835, *Portrait of a Lady* by American artist John Wood Dodge offers a delicate glimpse into early nineteenth-century portraiture. Measuring just under three inches, this intimate watercolor on ivory exemplifies the miniature tradition that flourished before photography became widespread. Such small-scale works were often commissioned as personal keepsakes, treasured within lockets or cases to preserve the likeness of a loved one. The choice of watercolor on ivory was particularly prized for its luminous quality and fine detail, allowing artists to capture subtle skin tones and...
About the Artist
John Wood Dodge · 1807–1893
1807–1893