The Promenade

"The Promenade", an 1859 painting by John Phillip, is housed in the National Gallery. Measuring 0.762 meters wide and 0.568 meters high, the artwork depicts a woman in a dark, possibly black, shawl or mantle, trimmed with lace. She wears a yellow-gold undergarment visible at the neckline and hem, and a green dress underneath. A pink flower adorns her dark hair, which is styled up. She holds a red and cream-colored fan. The background suggests an outdoor setting, possibly a promenade, with other figures visible but less defined. The style is painterly, with visible brushstrokes and a focus on the central figure. The background includes buildings suggestive of a Spanish or Mediterranean setting, and other people, less clearly defined, are present.