Artwork
Head of an Old Woman
Head of an Old Woman is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Orazio Borgianni. It dates from 1610 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The artist employed oil paint to depict the human head of a woman, utilizing the medium to achieve the formal qualities associated with his portraiture style.
Head of an Old Woman, executed by Orazio Borgianni in 1610, is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 53 centimeters in height and 39 centimeters in width, classifying it as a portrait genre piece. The artist employed oil paint to depict the human head of a woman, utilizing the medium to achieve the formal qualities associated with his portraiture style.
The support consists of canvas, a standard foundation for works of this period and classification. Current records indicate the painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, having previously been owned by Luigi Koelliker. The piece remains a distinct example of early 17th-century Italian portraiture, focusing on the realistic rendering of the subject through the specific handling of oil on a textile support.
History & Provenance
Created in 1610 by the Italian artist Orazio Borgianni, this oil painting on canvas depicts the head of an elderly woman. The work was originally owned by Luigi Koelliker before entering the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently housed. While specific details regarding the original commission or the exact circumstances of its creation remain unrecorded in the available sources, the piece is firmly dated to the early seventeenth century based on its inception year.
The transition of ownership from Koelliker to the New York institution marks the primary documented chain of custody for this portrait.
Overview
Orazio Borgianni's Head of an Old Woman, painted in oil around 1610, exemplifies the early Italian Baroque style. This portrait captures the likeness of an elderly woman, showcasing the artist's skill in rendering human form and emotion. It is a significant example of Borgianni's work from his mature period, reflecting the artistic currents of Rome at the time.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses intently on the face of an aged woman, her gaze directed downwards and to the left, suggesting introspection or humility. Her head is enveloped in a simple white scarf, contrasting with a dark garment visible below her chin. The deep, unadorned background serves to isolate the subject, drawing the viewer's full attention to her features and expression.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Orazio Borgianni (6 April 1574 – 14 January 1616) was an Italian painter and etcher of the Mannerist and early-Baroque periods.
