An untitled oil portrait of a young woman, attributed to American painter and poet Washington Allston. He was the first important American Romantic painter, and was called the "American Titian". Allston's paintings are known for their bold use of light and atmospheric color.

His artistic genius was much admired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Some years after Allston's death, poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote: "One man may sweeten a whole time. I never pass through Cambridge Port without thinking of Allston. His memory is the quince in the drawer and perfumes the atmosphere."

Allston's paintings have been widely exhibited in museums, most notably at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Unsigned and undated, marked "W. Allston" on verso. In wooden frame.

Very Good minus. Minor wear to edges of board, with evidence of possible previous restoration, particularly to two small areas of the figure's neck and chest. Frame is fragile with some chipping to gilt components.

Note that the portrait was originally in an oval frame, as was popular in the 18th century. However, oval frames fell out of fashion in the 19th century, and many paintings were relined to fit a rectangular frame. As a result, the original oval shape is faintly visible.

Artist: Allston, Washington (attributed to, American, 1779-1843)
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Date: Early 19th Century

Measurements: w 19.5 in x h 23.5 in. (Frame Size: w 39.5 in x h 43.5 in)