Who painted Head of a Female Figure in Profile, Turned to the Right?

Head of a Female Figure in Profile, Turned to the Right was painted by Hughes Taraval in 1766.

Where can I see Head of a Female Figure in Profile, Turned to the Right?

Head of a Female Figure in Profile, Turned to the Right is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Head of a Female Figure in Profile, Turned to the Right?

Head of a Female Figure in Profile, Turned to the Right is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Head of a Female Figure in Profile, Turned to the Right

Hughes Taraval , 1766

Head of a Female Figure in Profile, Turned to the Right is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Hughes Taraval. It dates from 1766 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This drawing depicts a female profile turned to the right, her face partially illuminated against a dark background.

About this work

Overview

This drawing depicts a female profile turned to the right, her face partially illuminated against a dark background. The artist renders the features with delicate, soft lines, creating a subdued, contemplative atmosphere. The composition focuses on the subtle play of light and shadow across the right side of the visage.

Subject & Meaning

The work belongs to the French tradition of the "expressive head," a study intended to capture a distinct emotional state on the human face. While the precise feeling intended by the artist is not documented, the gentle expression has been interpreted as suggesting admiration or adoration.

Technique & Style

Executed in fine drawing, the piece relies on subtle line work to model the facial planes. The artist employs a restrained palette, allowing the illuminated side of the face to emerge softly from the surrounding darkness, emphasizing the quiet intensity of the expression.

Context

During the latter half of the eighteenth century, French academies encouraged the practice of drawing expressive heads as a pedagogical exercise. In 1758, the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture instituted a prize specifically for such studies, underscoring their importance in artistic training.

History & Provenance

The drawing is attributed to the French artist Hughes Taraval. It is part of a collection that includes other works by Taraval, such as a piece held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, illustrating the artist’s continued engagement with the expressive head genre.