1654
oil
panel
From the collection of J. Paul Getty Museum
Dominant colour
Head of a Woman is a 1654 oil by Michiel Sweerts, a Flemish Baroque painting work, held at J. Paul Getty Museum.
The painting depicts a woman's head, with her face turned slightly to the right. She wears a white headscarf wrapped around her head, with a few strands of hair peeking out from underneath. Her dark jacket is adorned with a white collar and a small pin at the center. The woman's expression is neutral, with a subtle hint of a smile. Her eyes are cast downward, giving the impression that she is lost in thought. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of quiet contemplation. This painting is an example of chiaroscuro, a technique used to create a sense of volume and depth through the use of strong contrasts between light and dark.
Michiel Sweerts or Michael Sweerts (29 September 1618 – 1 June 1664) was a Flemish painter and printmaker of the Baroque period, who is known for his allegorical and genre paintings, portraits and tronies.
See the richer artist page
