Portrait of a Woman

Augustus Washington

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts a woman in a half-body portrait in a dignified and composed position. She has defined and symmetrical facial features with a calm expression. Her hair is styled in a center-parted updo with rolled sides. She is wearing a dark, long-sleeved gown with a fitted bodice and a large white lace collar. She has a floral brooch at the center of the collar. She is holding her hands in her lap, showing rings on her fingers. The background is neutral and slightly out of focus, keeping the focus on the woman. The image is framed in an ornate frame with decorative gold and a spotted pattern along the edges, typical of historical photographic styles.