Portrait of a Woman
Medium
watercolor on ivory on a gilt metal locket with red leather case
Dimensions
7.1 × 6 cm
Classification
Portrait Miniature
Department
American Painting and Sculpture
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Bequest of Muriel Butkin
Accession Number
2008.229
Tags
female
About this artwork
As a child, Anna Claypoole Peale observed her father James Peale painting miniature portraits and practiced alongside him. She eventually rivaled his success and became one of the leading portrait miniaturists in American during the 1800s. The sitter’s identity is unknown, but her likeness has been skillfully rendered to emphasize her rosy cheeks, pale skin, and red lips. This object was likely gifted as a sentimental memento to a loved one.