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Unknown, Portrait of a Woman, late 19th/early 20th century

doi: 10.37764/8322.5.4224
Artist Unknown (French)
Title Portrait of a Woman
Object Date late 19th/early 20th century
Medium Watercolor and gouache on a photographic reproduction, on ivory or ivory-imitating material
Setting Imitation tortoiseshell case
Dimensions Sight: 2 3/8 x 2 in. (6 x 5.1 cm)
Framed (case closed): 3 5/8 x 3 3/16 in. (9.2 x 8.1 cm)
Framed (case open): 3 5/8 x 6 5/16 in. (9.2 x 16 cm)
Inscription Inscribed on recto, lower right: “F. Sch.”
Credit Line Gift of Mrs. Jacob L. Loose, 34-237/76

Curatorial Notes

Like many later portrait miniatures, this example was likely produced en masse for the tourist market by painting over a template printed on or an ivory-like material such as celluloid. The inclusion of the decorative, faux tortoiseshell case further suggests that this was crafted as an elegant souvenir. We are grateful to Bernd Pappe for his insight on the attribution of this miniature during a visit to the Nelson-Atkins from July 24–26, 2023 (see Bernd Pappe, “Attribution Report,” August 6, 2023, Nelson-Atkins curatorial files).

Provenance

Ella Clark Loose (1860–1945), Kansas City, MO and Washington, DC, by 1934 [1];

Her gift to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1934.

Notes

[1] Loose is also referred to as Mrs. Jacob L. Loose. She was noted for her jewelry collection; many objects were purchased during her frequent travel overseas. Thank you to NAMA’s provenance specialist, MacKenzie Mallon, and former curatorial assistant Michele Valentine for this information.

No known related works, exhibitions, or references at this time. If you have additional information on this object, please tell us more.

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