Who painted Head of a young woman?

Head of a young woman was painted by Aleksander Kotsis in 1866.

Where can I see Head of a young woman?

Head of a young woman is held by National Museum in Warsaw.

Artwork

Head of a young woman

Head of a young woman is an oil painting by Aleksander Kotsis. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1866, this oil portrait depicts a young woman rendered in a modest size typical of Aleksander Kotsis’s oeuvre. The work belongs to the National Museum in Warsaw and exemplifies the artist’s blend of Romantic sentiment and Realist observation that characterized mid‑nineteenth‑century Polish painting.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, a dark‑haired woman, looks straight ahead with a restrained, contemplative expression. An up‑do hairstyle frames her face, while a red scarf draped around her neck, punctuated by a gold brooch, adds a subtle touch of colour. The dark background isolates her features, emphasizing the quiet intensity of her gaze.

Technique & Style

Kotsis employs oil to build layered tones that give the portrait a palpable sense of volume. The contrast between the illuminated face and the deep shadows behind it reflects a chiaroscuro approach, enhancing three‑dimensionality and lending the surface a tactile richness without overt dramatization.

History & Provenance

The painting has remained in Poland since its creation, entering the National Museum in Warsaw’s collection as part of its holdings of nineteenth‑century Polish art. Kotsis, a lifelong resident of Kraków, produced the work during a period when Polish artists negotiated emotional expression with detailed observation of everyday subjects.

Artist & collection

Artist

Aleksander Kotsis

Aleksander Kotsis (30 May 1836 – 7 August 1877) was a Polish painter. He created landscapes, portraits, and genre scenes in a combination Romantic and Realistic style. Most of his paintings are small. He was born and died in Kraków.