Joseph Oriel Eaton

JOSEPH ORIEL EATON (America, 1829-1875)
"Portrait of a lady".
Oil on canvas.
Signed.
Measurements: 69 x 57 cm; 87,5 x 74 cm (frame).

Oval portrait of a lady with intellectual aspect. Her long straight, silky hair, parted in the middle, frames an oval face with a wide forehead, partially covered by a black tulle veil. The model faces us with a defiant gaze through round rimless glasses. She wears an earthy maroon suit that harmonizes with the soft glow of her cheeks. A brooch paved with rhinestones, matching the earrings, enhances the ensemble, while the transparencies of the blouse peeking out from under the dress and the delicate glazes on the cuffs reveal the painter's mastery in the representation of textures and qualities. The brushstroke is restrained and meticulous, almost imperceptible, in the service of a precise and detailed psychological capture.

Joseph Oriel Eaton was an American painter who especially cultivated portraits, working both in oil and watercolor. His most famous work is a portrait of Herman Melville, the author of the 1851 novel Moby-Dick. His work encompasses a variety of subjects, from landscapes to intimate portraits. Eaton was recognized by his peers, being elected an associate academician of the National Academy of Design in 1866. His work is preserved at the National Academy of Design and the Cincinnati Art Museum.