Artwork
Mulata Quitandeira
Mulata Quitandeira is an oil painting by Antonio Ferrigno. It dates from 1911 and is held in the collection of the Pinacoteca de São Paulo.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1911, *Mulata Quitandeira* is an oil on canvas by the Italian painter Antonio Ferrigno. The work belongs to the collection of the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo. Ferrigno, who spent many years in Brazil, is known for portraying everyday scenes of Brazilian life, and this painting exemplifies his interest in local subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a seated woman, her back against a wall, dressed in a white headscarf, a light blouse and a long skirt. Her right elbow rests on her knee while her hand supports her chin, giving the figure a calm, introspective demeanor. The modest attire and relaxed pose suggest themes of humility and quiet dignity within a domestic setting.
Technique & Style
Ferrigno employs a warm palette of earth tones, softened by gentle illumination that bathes the figure in a serene glow. The brushwork is smooth, allowing the textures of fabric and skin to blend subtly. Light is rendered with a diffused quality, enhancing the sense of stillness and emphasizing the figure’s simple elegance.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on works that document Brazil’s cultural and social landscape during the early twentieth century, aligning with Ferrigno’s broader oeuvre of Brazilian genre scenes.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Antonio Ferrigno (22 December 1863 – 12 December 1940) was an Italian painter best known for his landscapes and genre scenes created during a stay in Brazil.
