Miss Lewis with a rabbit 

John Constable's portrait, "Miss Lewis with a Rabbit," is composed with a muted palette and soft, diffused lighting. The dark background and warm tones create an intimate atmosphere. Constable's painterly style is evident in the brushstrokes which render the delicate features of Miss Lewis. The composition centres around the interplay between the child and the rabbit she holds. The gaze directed to the left, combined with the positioning of the rabbit, creates a sense of narrative, inviting speculation about the context of the scene. Formally, the painting uses a traditional approach to portraiture, but the close framing and the child's informal pose disrupts the rigidity often found in portraits of the era. Constable’s focus on naturalism and the subtleties of light and shadow are part of a broader shift towards capturing individual character and emotional depth. This portrait, therefore, is a reflection of early 19th-century values, balancing formal conventions with a more personal, intimate approach to its subject.