Artwork

Head of a Young Woman

Head of a Young Woman, by Gilles Demarteau the Elder, chalk, 1749
Head of a Young Woman, by Gilles Demarteau the Elder, chalk, 1749

Head of a Young Woman is a chalk print by the Baroque artist Gilles Demarteau the Elder. It dates from 1749 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Head of a Young Woman is a print created by Gilles Demarteau the Elder in 1749 using the chalk manner technique, printed in red and black.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a young woman's face turned slightly away from the viewer, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a dress with a ruffled collar. The plain background emphasizes her features, captured with attention to detail, particularly around her hair and hat.

Technique & Style

The chalk manner technique, combined with red and black printing, achieves a soft, shadowy effect. The use of light lines creates a gentle, detailed representation of the subject, showcasing the artist's skill in capturing subtle textures and shading.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.