Artwork
Frauenkopf im Profil
Frauenkopf im Profil is an oil painting by the Realist artist Wilhelm Füssli. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Wilhelm Füssli’s 1855 oil on canvas, titled *Frauenkopf im Profil*, is part of the collection at the Kunsthaus Zürich. The work presents a solitary female figure rendered in profile, set against a darkened backdrop that isolates her presence within the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows a woman with dark hair, dressed in an orange garment. Though her facial features are softened, her demeanor conveys a quiet, reflective mood, inviting contemplation of inner thought rather than external narrative.
Technique & Style
Füssli employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting the illuminated figure with the surrounding gloom to generate depth and three‑dimensionality. The muted palette and blurred facial details emphasize mood over precise likeness, aligning the piece with mid‑nineteenth‑century portrait conventions.
History & Provenance
Created in 1855, the painting entered the holdings of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to representing Swiss artists of the period, though specific details of its earlier ownership are not recorded.
Artist & collection
Artist
