Artwork
Head of a girl
Head of a girl is an oil painting by Jan Ciągliński. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.
About this work
Overview
Head of a girl is a portrait painting executed in oil paint by Jan Ciągliński, a Polish artist active in St. Petersburg during the late 19th century.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a girl from the shoulders up, wearing a dark jacket and a red hat, with a neutral expression turned slightly to the left. The dark, indistinct background focuses attention on her face, creating a contemplative atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Ciągliński's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that exploits contrasts between light and dark, is evident in the painting. The strong contrast between the subject's face and the dark background highlights her features.
History & Provenance
Painted around 1895, Head of a girl is now held by the National Museum in Warsaw. It is considered an early example of Russian Impressionism, a style that Ciągliński contributed to during his time in St. Petersburg.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Ciągliński (Polish: ; Russian: Ян/Иван Францевич Ционглинский, romanized: Yan/Ivan Frantsevich Tsionglinskiy; 20 February 1858 – 6 January 1913) was a Polish painter, active in St.
