Portrait of a Young Woman in a Blue Scarf by Thomas Strickland

This is an original portrait executed in pastel on paper, attributed to the American artist Thomas Strickland (1932–1999). The artwork depicts a young woman with brown hair and bangs, wearing a voluminous, translucent blue and lavender scarf or bonnet tied under her chin. The style is characteristic of Strickland's Impressionist-influenced figurative work, utilizing soft, feathered strokes and a dreamlike color palette of cool blues, purples, and warm flesh tones. The subject is rendered with a melancholic expression and light catching the side of her face. The piece is housed in a heavy, ornate Rococo-style gilt wood and gesso frame featuring elaborate scrollwork and acanthus leaf motifs. A small brass identification plaque is centered at the bottom of the linen-textured liner. The frame shows some visible wear, including minor cracking in the gesso and small chips consistent with age, while the pastel itself appears well-preserved behind glass with no visible smudging or significant fading. The craftsmanship reflects a high degree of skill in capturing light through the pastel medium. Based on the artist's career and the framing style, the work likely dates to the mid-to-late 20th century.