Artwork
Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Scipione Pulzone. It dates from 1593 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Scipione Pulzone's 'Portrait of a Lady' is a 1593 oil painting held at the Museo del Prado. It exemplifies the artist's skill in portraiture, a genre in which he excelled during the late Italian Renaissance.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a woman dressed in attire indicative of wealth, adorned with pearls, gold thread, and jewelry. Her precise rendering and the contrast with the dark background emphasize her status.
Technique & Style
Pulzone's work is characterized by its departure from the prevailing Mannerist style. The portrait showcases his use of chiaroscuro, where the interplay of light and shadow creates a dramatic effect, highlighting the subject against a dark curtain.
History & Provenance
Created in 1593 by a Neapolitan painter active in Rome, Naples, and Florence, the portrait is part of the Museo del Prado's collection. Pulzone was known for his portraits of prominent figures, including popes and members of the Medici family.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Scipione Pulzone (1544 – February 1, 1598), also known as Il Gaetano, was a Neapolitan painter of the late Italian Renaissance.
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