Artwork

Portrait of a Lady

Portrait of a Lady, by Scipione Pulzone, oil, 1590
Portrait of a Lady, by Scipione Pulzone, oil, 1590

Portrait of a Lady is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Scipione Pulzone. It dates from 1590 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.

About this work

Overview

Scipione Pulzone's 'Portrait of a Lady' is an oil painting from 1590, exemplifying the artist's skill in capturing refined, detailed representations of individuals.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts a woman in formal attire, standing before a chair with her hand on the armrest, conveying a sense of luxury and refinement through her black dress with gold embroidery and white lace collar.

Technique & Style

Pulzone's work diverges from the prevalent Mannerist style, instead focusing on detailed, realistic portrayals, as seen in the intricate rendering of the subject's clothing and the chair.

History & Provenance

The painting is now part of the Walters Art Museum collection, reflecting Pulzone's reputation for portraiture among notable figures, including the Medici family and Pope Gregory XIII.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Scipione Pulzone

Artist

Scipione Pulzone

Scipione Pulzone (1544 – February 1, 1598), also known as Il Gaetano, was a Neapolitan painter of the late Italian Renaissance.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Walters Art Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.