Portrait of a Woman

Painting

-

The Cabinet of Scissor Curiosities

Portrait of a Woman: An image of the painting; the fine scissors can be seen on the table at the centre-left of the image.
Portrait of a Woman

An image of the painting; the fine scissors can be seen on the table at the centre-left of the image.

Name/Title

Portrait of a Woman

Entry/Object ID

2026.7.62

Tags

1700s, painting, sewing, scissors

Description

Portrait of a Woman by Joseph Wright (Wright of Derby). This work (from c. 1770) shows a woman sitting with materials for decorative sewing. A pair of fine embroidery scissors can be seen positioned on the table. "Joseph Wright of Derby was the first major British painter to work almost entirely outside London. Most of his patrons were merchants or industrialists from the Midlands or members of the local gentry. This portrait of an unknown lady was probably painted about 1770, the high point of Wright's early career as a portraitist, and is a fine example of the direct, descriptive style he employed—far removed from the artificial conventions favored in London society." (text taken from the Met, link below)

Artwork Details

Medium

Oil on Canvas

Web Links and URLs

Original image page at the Metropolitan Museum

Created By

studygroup@scissornet.org

Create Date

February 4, 2026

Updated By

studygroup@scissornet.org

Update Date

February 4, 2026