copley32 John Singleton Copley (1738-1815)

The painting presents a woman in three-quarter profile, positioned slightly off-center within the composition. She is dressed in fashionable attire indicative of the mid-18th century: a flowing blue gown with a delicate white chemise visible at the neckline, cinched at the waist by a dark corset laced with pink ribbon. A wide-brimmed hat, adorned with matching ribbons, casts shadows across her face and shoulders, softening her features. She holds a handkerchief in her gloved hands, a gesture that contributes to an air of studied elegance.
The background is deliberately blurred, suggesting an outdoor setting – likely a garden or park – with indistinct foliage and a hazy sky. The use of muted greens and blues reinforces the overall sense of tranquility and refinement. Light falls gently upon the woman, highlighting the textures of her clothing and skin while maintaining a subdued tonal range.
The artist’s attention to detail is evident in the rendering of the fabrics, particularly the sheen of the gown and the delicate lace of the chemise. The pose itself conveys an impression of relaxed confidence; she does not meet the viewers gaze directly but looks slightly away, suggesting a certain reserve or perhaps a deliberate attempt at modesty.
Subtleties within the painting hint at social standing and status. The elaborate dress, the carefully arranged hat, and the manicured hands all point to a woman of considerable means. The outdoor setting implies access to leisure and cultivated spaces. While the overall impression is one of grace and composure, theres also a sense of detachment – a distance between the subject and the viewer that speaks to her position within a hierarchical society. The blurred background further emphasizes this separation, suggesting she exists apart from the everyday world.