Portrait of a Woman

Richard Cosway

National Gallery of Art

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.