Artwork
Study of a Female Head
Study of a Female Head is an oil painting by Franciszek Żmurko. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.
About this work
Overview
Study of a Female Head, created by Franciszek Żmurko in 1900, is an oil painting featuring a solitary female portrait. The work is characterized by its representational style and is housed in the National Museum in Kraków.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on a female figure with her head turned to the left, distinguished by a red ribbon in her dark hair and a white sleeveless garment. Her downward-cast eyes and slightly parted lips convey a contemplative expression.
Technique & Style
Żmurko employed chiaroscuro to achieve depth and volume, emphasizing the subject's face through strategic lighting. Soft, muted colors with subtle shading define the facial features, set against a dark, shadowy background.
History & Provenance
Franciszek Żmurko, a Polish realist trained under Jan Matejko in Kraków and later in Vienna and Munich, primarily worked in portraiture. This piece is part of the National Museum in Kraków's collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Franciszek Żmurko (18 July 1859, Lviv – 9 October 1910, Warsaw) was a Polish realist painter.
