Portrait of a Lady
ca. 1820-1825
Gilbert Stuart, the artist famous for painting George Washington's face on the dollar bill, captures a fashionable lady here with a hairstyle that absolutely defies gravity. Her towering, powdered grey hair is topped with a massive white bow and sheer fabric, looking like a cloud of confectionery sugar against the stark black background. The rosy cheeks and ruffled white neckerchief give her a fresh, lively look, while the dark cloak adds a touch of drama to this elegant oval portrait.
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