Africa was painted by Rosalba Carriera in 1720.

Where can I see Africa?

Africa is held by Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

What movement is Africa?

Africa is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Africa?

Museum-quality prints of Africa are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Africa

Rosalba Carriera , 1720

Africa is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Rosalba Carriera. It dates from 1720 and is held in the collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1720, *Africa* is an oil painting by Italian Rococo artist Rosalba Carriera. The work belongs to the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister’s collection and exemplifies Carriera’s shift from miniature portraiture to larger-scale compositions that helped legitimize pastel‑like coloration in eighteenth‑century European painting.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas presents a dark‑skinned woman dressed in a white headwrap and pearl necklace, accented by a red‑gold earring and matching necklace. She clutches a small reptile—interpreted as a snake or lizard—in her right hand, while her open mouth and wide eyes convey a startled reaction, suggesting a narrative moment rather than a static portrait.

Technique & Style

Carriera employs a delicate palette of pastel tones, balancing the luminous blues‑gray background with the deep hue of the sitter’s skin. The rendering of fabrics and jewelry demonstrates her skill in depicting texture, while the subtle chiaroscuro around the figure creates a gentle three‑dimensionality characteristic of Rococo portraiture.

History & Provenance

After its completion, *Africa* entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, where it remains on view. The painting reflects Carriera’s rising reputation in the early eighteenth century, a period when she was among the most successful women artists in Europe, gaining patronage across the continent.

Context

Carriera’s career began with miniature portraiture, but she soon turned to larger works that emphasized pastel coloration. *Africa* illustrates this transition, aligning with contemporary tastes for exotic subjects and the fashionable portrayal of non‑European figures within aristocratic circles.