Seated Woman
1857-1931
Medium
Drawing
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Laura Dreyfus Barney and Natalie Clifford Barney in memory of their mother, Alice Pike Barney
Accession Number
1972.181.5
Tags
Art Historical Context
**Seated Woman** by Alice Pike Barney (185–1931) captures a-length figure in a poised, seated pose, rendered as a delicate drawing that showcases the artist's skill in observation and line work. Barney, a prominent American artist and arts patron in late 19th- and early 20th-century Washington, D.C., was known for her vibrant paintings influenced by Impressionism, but this work highlights her prowess in drawing—a medium often used for intimate studies and preparatory sketches. The simplicity of the drawing invites viewers to appreciate the subtle play of form and posture, evoking everyday eleg...