Portrait of a Woman - Therese Lessore
- Artist: Walter Richard Sickert
- Date: (circa) 1927
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the “Portrait of a Woman – Therese Lessore” by Walter Richard Sickert. Painted around 1927, the work sits in the late‑Vanguard period of British art, when Sickert was still exploring the interplay between realism and Impressionist light. The canvas is oil on canvas, and the artist’s brushwork here is loose yet controlled, capturing a fleeting moment of quiet intimacy.
Notice how Sickert uses muted earth tones to ground the sitter. The woman’s profile is softly illuminated, with the background blurred to keep the focus on her subtle expression. Her eyes, though veiled by shadow, seem to hold a quiet narrative—perhaps a reflection of the post‑war era’s quiet resilience. The composition feels balanced; the slight tilt of her head creates a dynamic asymmetry that pulls the viewer in.
Sickert’s technique here shows a shift from his earlier, more robust palette to a restrained, almost melancholic mood. The oil glazes give the skin a velvety texture, while the brushstrokes in the hair and clothing hint at movement. Overall, the portrait feels like a private confession, capturing both the individual and the broader artistic currents of the 1920s.
See it in person
Portrait of a Woman - Therese Lessore hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
