Half-Length Portrait Study of a Woman Wearing a Cap and Pearl Earrings 1735 - 1765

This black chalk drawing, created by Joseph van Aken between 1735 and 1765, depicts a woman in a cap and pearl earrings. The subject is shown in a half-length portrait, enclosed within an oval frame. This study in black chalk, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exhibits the artist's deft hand in capturing the subtle details of the woman's features and clothing. It highlights van Aken's mastery of portraiture and his ability to imbue his subjects with a sense of dignity and refinement.