Who painted Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman was painted by Giuliano Bugiardini in c. 1525.

Where can I see Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Young Woman?

Portrait of a Young Woman is associated with Mannerism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Young Woman?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Young Woman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a Young Woman

Giuliano Bugiardini , 1525

Portrait of a Young Woman is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Giuliano Bugiardini. It dates from 1525 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

Condition is not documented in the available sources, but the work survives in stable state as part of the National Gallery of Art’s Kress Collection.

The painting is executed in oil on canvas, a medium typical of Florentine portraiture in the early 16th century. The support is canvas (height 57.8 cm, width 49.6 cm), and the surface is carefully modeled to render the sitter’s features. The young woman is shown in bust-length format, her brown hair partly covered by a turban, and she wears a white chemise.

The handling is precise, with smooth transitions and a restrained palette, emphasizing the serene expression and the fine textiles. Condition is not documented in the available sources, but the work survives in stable state as part of the National Gallery of Art’s Kress Collection.

History & Provenance

The painting was created in 1525 by Giuliano Bugiardini. Its earliest known owner was Charles Fairfax Murray (London and Florence), from whom it passed to Count Alessandro Contini Bonacossi (Rome). In 1929 it was sold to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York, and was gifted to the National Gallery of Art in 1939, where it remains part of the Samuel H. Kress Collection. No commission details or earlier creation history are recorded.

Overview

This oil on canvas, titled Portrait of a Young Woman, depicts a serene figure with brown hair. Dressed in a chemise and turban, the subject gazes directly forward, her calm demeanor establishing a peaceful atmosphere. The artist's choice of simple attire and a neutral backdrop emphasizes her face, drawing the viewer's attention to her quiet expression and making her the central focus of the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The painting presents a young woman whose direct gaze engages the viewer. Her brown hair is covered by a turban, and she wears a simple chemise. Her facial expression conveys a sense of tranquility and quietude.

By minimizing details in her clothing and omitting any background elements, the artist ensures that the woman's face and her composed presence remain the primary subject, inviting contemplation of her inner state.