Portrait of a Woman 1868 - 1871

Eastman Johnson created this drawing, Portrait of a Woman, with charcoal and crayon on paper. The work is defined by subtle contrasts and soft gradations. The pale cream background accentuates the sitter’s silhouette, composed of delicate, interwoven lines. Notice the intricate, lace-like collar, which adds a textural richness that draws the eye. Johnson's marks, although seemingly unstructured, meticulously define the contours of his sitter. He explores the tension between a structured representation and the inherent qualities of the medium itself. The drawing might be seen as an exploration of how identity is constructed through representation. The woman’s averted gaze and the incompleteness of the drawing allow viewers to actively participate in constructing meaning. The artwork suggests that meaning is not fixed, but emerges from the interplay between the artwork, the artist, and the viewer.