Artwork
Portrait of a Woman (Marianna Panciatichi, marchesa Paolucci delle Roncole, 1835–1919, or her sister-in-law, Beatrice Ferrari-Corbelli di Reggio, contessa di Lucciano)
Portrait of a Woman (Marianna Panciatichi, marchesa Paolucci delle Roncole, 1835–1919, or her sister-in-law, Beatrice Ferrari-Corbelli di Reggio, contessa di Lucciano) is an oil painting by the Realist artist Michele Gordigiani. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The canvas, measuring approximately 64 × 52 cm, is stretched and primed, allowing the oil medium to retain fine detail and a luminous surface.
The Portrait of a Woman is executed in oil on canvas, a standard support for mid‑19th‑century portraiture. Gordigiani applied the paint in thin, layered brushstrokes that model the sitter’s features with subtle chiaroscuro, a technique documented in the work’s catalogue entry. The canvas, measuring approximately 64 × 52 cm, is stretched and primed, allowing the oil medium to retain fine detail and a luminous surface.
As a painting in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it has been conserved to maintain its original handling characteristics, with no major structural damage reported. Stylistically, the portrait combines realistic likeness with a restrained palette, emphasizing the sitter’s dignified presence.
History & Provenance
The painting was created by Michele Gordigiani in 1864. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures 64 by 52 centimeters. It is currently held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While the specific commissioning context is not detailed in the available records, the work is dated to the year 1864. The subject is identified as either Marianna Panciatichi, marchesa Paolucci delle Roncole (1835–1919), or her sister-in-law, Beatrice Ferrari-Corbelli di Reggio, contessa di Lucciano. The piece is classified as a portrait genre work depicting a woman.
No further details regarding the original patron or the chain of ownership prior to its acquisition by the museum are provided in the source data.
Overview
Michele Gordigiani's Portrait of a Woman, an oil painting from 1864, presents an elegant depiction of an unidentified female sitter. This work is held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The painting exemplifies 19th-century portraiture, showcasing the artist's ability to render individual likeness and the refined fashion of the period.
It remains a notable example of Gordigiani's oeuvre, reflecting the artistic trends and social customs of its time.
Subject & Meaning
The identity of the woman portrayed in this painting is uncertain, with scholarly research suggesting she is either Marianna Panciatichi, marchesa Paolucci delle Roncole, or her sister-in-law, Beatrice Ferrari-Corbelli di Reggio, contessa di Lucciano. Despite the ambiguity, the portrait serves as a formal representation of a woman from a distinguished family. Such commissions were customary for documenting social standing and personal appearance, embodying the cultural values of the era's elite.
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Artist & collection
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