Quirina Catharina des H.R. Rijksbarones von Friesheim (1764-1822) 1800 - 1820

Charles Howard Hodges painted this miniature portrait of Quirina Catharina von Friesheim using pastel on ivory. The composition is structured within a sharply defined oval, drawing our focus to the sitter’s composed presence. Hodges employs a subtle palette of blues and creams, accented by the warm gold of the frame, creating an intimate yet formal encounter. The texture of the ivory support, combined with the soft application of pastel, lends a delicate, almost ethereal quality to the image. Consider how the rendering of fabric—the lace collar, the draped shawl, the feathered headdress—suggests a play of surfaces and depth. Each element contributes to an understanding of the sitter's social standing and the conventions of portraiture in the late 18th century. Hodges captures not just a likeness, but a carefully constructed representation of identity and status. The artist’s delicate handling of light and shadow further enhances the dimensionality, inviting viewers to consider the subtle nuances of expression and the complex interplay between surface and depth. In this way the painting goes beyond representation, using a formal discourse of status.