Untitled (Head of Woman)

Untitled (Head of Woman)

Henri Le Secq

1852

oil

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This is a close-up of a woman’s face on a rough, textured background. Her dark hair is pulled back, and her eyes are half-closed, looking down. The paint is thick in some spots, especially on her cheekbones and forehead, giving it a slightly uneven look. The painting feels intimate, like a quick sketch rather than a polished portrait. The artist used bold brushstrokes to show light and shadow, making the face stand out against the plain background. Want to learn more? Check out chiaroscuro to see how light and dark create drama in art.

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