Head of an old woman

About this work

This painting is a portrait of an elderly woman, depicted from the shoulders up. Her face is turned to the right, and she wears a white headscarf that covers her hair and neck. The background is a dark, muted color that helps to focus attention on the subject. The artist has used subtle shading to create a sense of depth and volume in the woman's face, with the lightest areas on her cheekbones and nose. Her eyes are cast downward, giving her an introspective appearance. The level of detail in the woman's face suggests a high level of skill on the part of the artist. For more information on the artist's use of chiaroscuro, see the work of Annibale Carracci.