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Portrait of a Woman

Eastman Johnson American
ca. 1871
Not on view
Johnson developed drawing skills as an apprentice in a Boston lithography shop and perfected that talent over years of taking portrait likenesses on paper and artistic study in Düsseldorf, The Hague, and Paris. He was especially adept at handling charcoal and chalk, and this skill is evident in the present drawing. As was characteristic of his technique, Johnson sketched the woman’s neckline and dress in relatively rough, unblended strokes of charcoal and chalk, so that the contrast between the sitter’s head and body is striking. The drawing is a tour de force of draftsmanship, notable for the accomplished handling of difficult media.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of a Woman
  • Artist: Eastman Johnson (American, Lovell, Maine 1824–1906 New York)
  • Date: ca. 1871
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Charcoal and white chalk heightening on light brown textured wove paper
  • Dimensions: 18 7/16 x 12 5/16 in. (46.8 x 31.3 cm)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1946
  • Object Number: 46.22.2
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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