New England, ca. 1830-1835. Attributed to the celebrated "Puffy Sleeve Artist". Hollow-cut, watercolor on paper over black-fabric backing of an elegant young woman with a room-filling presence that belies its small size. The work is crisply and confidently rendered, and remains in a super state of preservation. The teal dress is likely a unique survival for this artist and elevates the work well above most related examples. Brass frame is of the period and likely original, measuring about 5 1/8 inches tall x 4 3/8 wide. See "A Loving Likeness, American Folk Portraits of the Nineteenth Century", original and supplement, for other examples attributed to the Puffy Sleeve Artist.