The image depicts a woman from the waist up, seated and facing forward. She has fair skin, distinct facial features, and elaborately-styled, powdered hair with flowers and black plumes. She wears a red gown with lace, a white lace collar, pearls, and a corsage. She holds a book and the background is a plain, warm brown color.
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Elizabeth Denison

painter The Denison Limner (American, active c. 1790)

Probably painter Joseph Steward (American, 1753 - 1822)

c. 1790

Medium
oil on canvas
Classification
Painting
Dimensions
overall: 85.4 x 67.6 cm (33 5/8 x 26 5/8 in.) ; framed: 102.2 x 90.5 x 4.4 cm (40 1/4 x 35 5/8 x 1 3/4 in.)
Culture
American
Museum
National Gallery of Art, CAB
Credit line
Gift of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch
Rights
Public domain (NGA Open Access, CC0), as the museum states it.
Who can see it
Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed

View at the National Gallery of Art