Portrait of a Lady 1830

Alexander Clarot painted this ‘Portrait of a Lady’ with watercolors on ivory, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Ivory was a prized material for portrait miniatures like this one, because its smooth, fine grain allowed artists to achieve remarkable detail. Clarot would have applied thin, translucent washes of watercolor, building up the image layer by layer, almost like glazing a ceramic. This painstaking process demanded tremendous skill and patience. The subtle gradations of color in the lady’s face and dress, along with the delicate rendering of her hair, demonstrate Clarot’s mastery of the medium. Of course, the elephant in the room with ivory is just that – an elephant. These miniatures were luxury items, and their production came at an ethical cost. Next time you look at a historical artwork, consider not only the artistry involved, but also the broader social and environmental implications of its making.