The artwork, titled “Portrait of a Woman,” was created by Chaim Soutine in 1929 in France. This oil on canvas piece exemplifies the Expressionism art movement and is a portrait genre painting measuring 80.6 x 60.3 cm. It is currently housed at the Princeton University Art Museum (PUAM) in Princeton, New Jersey, United States.
The artwork depicts a woman set against a turbulent, almost abstract background dominated by various shades of deep blue. The expression on the woman’s face is solemn and contemplative, her eyes large and melancholic, framed by disheveled dark hair. She wears a dark garment that blends into the moody background, creating a sense of unity between the subject and her environment. The light and shadow interplay on her face and hands adds depth and emotion to the portrait, consistent with the expressionistic style of emphasizing emotional experience over physical reality. The brushstrokes are vigorous and expressive, further enhancing the emotional intensity of the painting.