A Portrait of a Woman

Painting of a woman standing, with her left arm raised, holding up a round red ‘jewel’ between her thumb and forefinger, her right arm crooked at the waist, her hand clasping a small wicker basket. Her delicate features are set in an expression of concentration as she examines the red object, her curving eyes beneath the arching brows slightly narrowed and her bud-like lips pursed. She wears elaborate layered robes and is richly bejewelled. Her dusky pink top has voluminous sleeves edged with dark bands, and draped over her shoulders are a cape with scalloped edges and a blue shawl with trailing ends. Her long skirt covers the tips of her feet and layered over the top are two over-skirts, one long and a shorter patterned one falling to a point at the front and the back. A red sash at the waist secures the skirts and brocade panels to the front; tassels with elaborate knots, pendants and ornaments are suspended from it. Her hair is dressed in elaborate folds and decorated with jewelled hair ornaments.

Ink and colours on silk, now mounted on a board
Four collectors’ seals, three on the lower proper right and one on the lower proper left
 

Dimensions: 160.0 x 82.5 cm