Head of a Beauty

About this work

This painting shows a woman’s head and shoulders turned slightly to the side. Her dark hair is pulled back, and she wears a veil draped over her head. Gold jewelry—earrings, a necklace, and a headpiece—stands out against her pale skin. The background is plain, letting her face and the details of her clothing take center stage. The script at the top and bottom looks like Persian or Arabic writing, which hints at where this might come from. The soft shading on her face and veil gives it a gentle, three-dimensional look. Check out the mughal school to see more paintings like this one.