Artwork
Προσωπογραφία της Ρωξάνης Καρατζά
Προσωπογραφία της Ρωξάνης Καρατζά is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Rizos Iakovos. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Historical & Ethnological Society of Greece.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1885 by the Greek artist Rizos Iakovos, the portrait titled "Προσωπογραφία της Ρωξάνης Καρατζά" is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work presents a single figure rendered in a modest oval format, concentrating on the sitter’s face and upper shoulders against an unadorned background.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts Roxani Karatzá, whose identity is conveyed through a calm, direct gaze and softened facial modeling. The lack of ornamental detail invites viewers to focus on the personal presence of the sitter, suggesting an intimate, perhaps private, representation rather than a formal, public commission.
Technique & Style
Iakovos employed gentle, fluid strokes to outline the oval contour and to suggest the contours of the face. Light shading around the eyes and mouth is achieved with subtle cross‑hatching, creating a soft gradation of tone that defines the features without intricate detail. The overall effect is restrained and contemplative.
History & Provenance
Since its creation in the late nineteenth century, the portrait has remained within the holdings of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s Greek ethnographic collection. No records indicate prior ownership or exhibition beyond the museum’s archives.
Context
The work emerges from a period in Greek art when portraiture often blended academic training with a more personal, observational approach. Iakovos’s choice of a simple oval format and minimal background reflects contemporary trends toward focusing on individual character rather than elaborate settings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Museum
Historical & Ethnological Society of Greece
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