The artwork, entitled “Girl with the Red Shawl,” is a distinguished piece by Giovanni Boldini, created in 1883. Executed in oil on canvas, this portrait stands as an exemplar of the Realism movement, measuring 56.5 x 46.5 cm. Held in a private collection, the artwork captures the essence of its subject with meticulous detail and vivid coloration.
In this portrait, a young girl is depicted enshrouded in an opulent red shawl that envelops her shoulders and head, creating a striking contrast with her pale complexion. Her dark hair peeks through the shawl, adding to the depth of her commanding gaze. The texture of the shawl, rendered with intricate brushwork, displays Boldini’s mastery in capturing the nuances of fabric and light. The background, kept in muted tones, serves to highlight the subject’s expressive face and the rich color of the shawl, thus intensifying the viewer’s focus on the girl’s enigmatic expression. The artist’s signature and the date of creation are discernible in the top right corner, adding a personal touch to this captivating work of art.