The artwork, titled “Dolley Madison (Mrs. James Madison)”, was created by the artist Gilbert Stuart in the year 1804. This piece belongs to the Rococo art movement and falls under the portrait genre.
The artwork depicts Dolley Madison, the wife of the fourth President of the United States, James Madison. She is portrayed seated, facing slightly towards her left with an elegant and dignified bearing. The subject is dressed in a refined, white gown, adorned with delicate lace and yellow ribbon accents, emanating a sense of grace and poise. She wears a string of pearls around her neck and another chain draped across her chest, bringing an element of understated elegance to her ensemble. Her dark hair is styled in loose curls, framing her face, which exhibits a composed and serene expression. The background includes a glimpse of a classical interior, with a luxurious crimson curtain partially draped open to reveal a glimpse of a blue sky, perhaps symbolizing the prominence and openness of her position in society. The overall composition and technique of this portrait reflect the Rococo characteristics of lightness and intricate detail, while also conveying the subject’s eminent stature and refined elegance.
