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The Head of the Virgin

Pietro Perugino

1495

oil

canvas

From the collection of Ashmolean Museum

Early Renaissance

Dominant colour

The Head of the Virgin is a 1495 oil by Pietro Perugino, a Early Renaissance work, held at Ashmolean Museum.

Who painted this?: Pietro Perugino
When & what style?: 1495 · Early Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Ashmolean Museum

About this work

This painting features a woman's head, possibly a depiction of the Virgin Mary, rendered in oil paint. Her dark hair is covered by a cloth, and she wears a dark dress with a lighter-colored neckline. The background is a mottled gray. The woman's gaze is directed downward, and her expression is serene. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that creates a strong contrast between light and dark, explore the works of Pietro Perugino.