Study of a Seated Woman

John Hoppner British

Not on view

Hoppner became the leading portraitist working in London after Sir Joshua Reynolds retired in 1789. Early In his career, the artist often focused on literary or dramatic subjects, and the present work relates to "Clara at the Tomb of Eloisa," reproduced in mezzotint in 1786. The theme comes from Jean-Jacques Rousseau's "Julie; ou, La Nouvelle Héloïse," a novel in which the heroine, Héloïse (Eloisa), is separated from her great love Saint-Preux, and dies hoping to be united with him in heaven. The artist imagined Eloisa's close friend Clara mourning at her tomb and used his wife, Phoebe, as a model. Black and white chalks are applied in a loose, expressive manner reminiscent of Thomas Gainsborough and a romantically overgrown landscape suggested by rapidly indicated trees and hints of foliage.

Study of a Seated Woman, John Hoppner (British, London 1758–1810 London), Black and white chalk

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Study of a Seated Woman, John Hoppner (British, London 1758–1810 London), Black and white chalk
Study of a Seated Woman, John Hoppner (British, London 1758–1810 London), Black and white chalk

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.