Portrait of a Woman

About this work

You see a woman in a stiff black dress, her pale face framed by a white ruff. One hand rests on her chest, fingers spread like a fan. Bronzino painted for the Medici court, so this woman was probably rich or noble. The plain background makes her look even grander, even though the painting is small. Her face is smooth and calm—no smile, no frown—just cool elegance. If you like this, look up *sfumato*—a technique that softens edges, like the gentle blur of her skin.