Portrait of a Courtesan (c.1597) by Caravaggio

Portrait of a Courtesan - Caravaggio - c.1597

Artwork Information

TitlePortrait of a Courtesan
ArtistCaravaggio
Datec.1597
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions66 x 53 cm
Art MovementBaroque,Tenebrism
Current LocationBode Museum, Berlin, Germany, Destroyed

About Portrait of a Courtesan

The artwork titled “Portrait of a Courtesan” is a painting by the renowned artist Caravaggio, created circa 1597. This oil on canvas work belongs to the Baroque period, exemplifying the tenebrism style, which is characterized by dramatic contrasts of light and dark. The dimensions of the portrait are 66 x 53 centimeters. Regrettably, the original artwork was housed in the Bode Museum, Berlin, Germany, but has since been destroyed. The piece falls under the genre of portraiture.

In this portrait, the female subject is depicted with an austere and serene expression. Her dark hair is styled upward, and she is adorned with a pair of delicate, hanging earrings. Dressed in period clothing, she holds a white flower, which may symbolize purity or innocence, in her right hand against her chest. Her attire consists of a detailed bodice over a white blouse, contributing to the painting’s rich texture and historical accuracy. The background is kept dark, allowing the light to focus on the subject, a hallmark of the tenebrism technique that Caravaggio masterfully employs. The contrasting use of light and shadow enhances the subject’s dramatic presence, drawing viewers’ attention to the details and the depth of her gaze.

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