Portrait of a Woman

American 19th Century

National Gallery of Art

The image shows an oval-framed portrait of a woman sitting with her hands in her lap, holding a folded fan. She is facing slightly to the viewer's right, with dark hair styled back neatly. She has delicate facial features and wears a light-colored dress with a high neck and a ruffled capelet. The woman also wears dark lace fingerless gloves and a round brooch at the neckline. The background is dark, contrasting with the lighter foreground. The frame is decorated with red and gold patterns.