Who painted Half-Length Figure of a Woman?

Half-Length Figure of a Woman was painted by Michele Rocca in 1700.

Where can I see Half-Length Figure of a Woman?

Half-Length Figure of a Woman is held by Walters Art Museum.

What movement is Half-Length Figure of a Woman?

Half-Length Figure of a Woman is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Half-Length Figure of a Woman?

Museum-quality prints of Half-Length Figure of a Woman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Half-Length Figure of a Woman

Michele Rocca , 1700

Half-Length Figure of a Woman is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Michele Rocca. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1700 by the Roman painter Michele Rocca, this oil on canvas presents a half‑length portrait of a woman. The composition focuses on the sitter from the waist upward, set against a dark background that isolates her figure and emphasizes the subtle modeling of light and shade.

Subject & Meaning

The woman is shown with her head turned slightly to the left, her hair arranged in loose, curling tresses that frame a calm, downward‑gazing expression. Dressed in a white, low‑cut gown with a dark shawl draped over her left shoulder, she conveys a mood of quiet contemplation, typical of intimate portraiture of the period.

Technique & Style

Rocca employs the refined detailing associated with his training under the influence of Pietro da Cortona, yet the work also incorporates the lighter, decorative touches that anticipate Rococo aesthetics. The oil medium allows for smooth gradations of tone, while the dark backdrop creates a chiaroscuro effect that highlights the sitter’s features.

History & Provenance

Michele Rocca, an Italian artist active in the early 18th‑century Roman art scene, produced this piece during a phase when Baroque conventions were giving way to more ornamental styles. The painting remains documented as part of Rocca’s oeuvre, illustrating his transition toward the emerging Rococo sensibility.