Who painted Portrait of a Young Italian Lady?

Portrait of a Young Italian Lady was painted by Unknown in 1550.

Where can I see Portrait of a Young Italian Lady?

Portrait of a Young Italian Lady is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Portrait of a Young Italian Lady

Portrait of a Young Italian Lady is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

The work titled Portrait of a Young Italian Lady is an oil painting dating from around 1550, attributed to the artist known as 1860_person. It is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed among other works of the Renaissance period.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas depicts a young woman positioned against an unadorned dark backdrop. She wears a ruff collar, a striped gown, and pearl necklaces, while a decorative hairpin secures her neatly arranged hair. In her hands she holds a folded fan and a small object, possibly a letter or a glove, suggesting a moment of private contemplation.

Technique & Style

The painting employs a stark contrast between light and shadow, a hallmark of chiaroscuro that emphasizes the sitter’s facial features. The dark background functions as a visual foil, drawing attention to the illuminated details of clothing, jewelry, and the delicate handling of the fan.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1550, the portrait entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings through acquisition in the early twentieth century. Documentation traces its provenance to private collections in Italy before its transfer to the museum, where it has remained a representative example of mid‑sixteenth‑century portraiture.