Artwork
Head of an Old Woman
Head of an Old Woman is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Ubaldo Gandolfi. It is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1790 by the Bolognese painter Ubaldo Gandolfi, *Head of an Old Woman* is an oil on canvas portrait that measures the likeness of an elderly female sitter. The work belongs to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies Gandolfi’s late‑Baroque output, which often blended portraiture with the decorative sensibilities of the Rococo.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on the woman’s head, her hair gathered back and a dark shawl draped over a white garment. She looks slightly to her right, her lined face and thoughtful eyes suggesting a quiet contemplation and the accumulated wisdom of age. The restrained expression conveys dignity without overt narrative.
Technique & Style
Rendered in oil, Gandolfi employs a deep brown ground that heightens the contrast between the luminous flesh tones and the darker clothing. Soft modeling and delicate brushwork capture the subtle variations of skin, while the handling of light reflects the Rococo’s preference for gentle chiaroscuro and refined surface detail.
History & Provenance
Ubaldo Gandolfi, together with his brother Gaetano, enjoyed a prolific career that secured commissions throughout Italy and beyond during the late eighteenth century. *Head of an Old Woman* entered the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s holdings in the twentieth century, though the exact acquisition path is not detailed in the available records.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ubaldo Gandolfi (1728–1781) was an Italian painter, draughtsman and sculptor of the late-Baroque period, mainly active in and near Bologna.
