The artwork, entitled “Portrait of Amelia Van Buren,” is a distinguished oil-on-canvas piece created by the esteemed artist Thomas Eakins around the year 1891. Adhering to the Realism movement, the portrait is a notable example of its genre, encapsulating the essence of its subject with precise detail and emotional depth. Measuring 114 x 81 cm, this portrait is housed in the Phillips Collection in Washington, DC, US.
In the artwork, a woman is depicted seated in an intricately carved wooden chair. She is garbed in a delicate, light pink dress with elegant floral details and ruffles along the sleeves and collar. Her posture is slightly reclined with her head resting on her right hand, emitting a contemplative or wistful air. Her gaze, directed away from the viewer, adds a layer of introspection and subtle melancholy. The intricate textures of the fabric, the meticulous rendering of light and shadow, and the subdued color palette highlight Eakins’ mastery in capturing both the physical likeness and the inner life of the subject, making the portrait a compelling study in realism and human emotion.
