Portrait of a young Woman in a Turban by Jacques-Louis David

Portrait of a young Woman in a Turban - Jacques-Louis David -

Artwork Information

TitlePortrait of a young Woman in a Turban
ArtistJacques-Louis David
Mediumoil,canvas
Art MovementNeoclassicism
Current LocationPrivate Collection

About Portrait of a young Woman in a Turban

The artwork entitled “Portrait of a Young Woman in a Turban” is a quintessential piece by Jacques-Louis David, rendered in oil on canvas. As a prominent representation of the Neoclassical art movement, this portrait falls within the genre of portraiture and, as of the current reference point in time, resides within a private collection. This work embodies the aesthetic ideals and historical interests characteristic of its era.

The artwork features the visage of a youthful female subject, gazing slightly upward and to the side, captured in three-quarter view. The woman adorns a voluminous turban, the folds and creases of which are painstakingly depicted to emanate a sense of intricate texture and realism. The turban itself, a classical element, contributes to the Neoclassical narrative of the portrait. The subject’s skin is rendered with great deftness, displaying a smooth, luminous quality that is contrasted with the rosy bloom of her cheeks, suggesting youth and vitality.

Her garments, visible from shoulders upward, evoke classical drapery with their soft folds and the hints of layering displayed. The subtlety of the palette denotes a relatively restrained approach typical of Neoclassicism, focusing mainly on earth tones with touches of red that draw the eye to the subject’s cheeks and lips.

In the visage of the subject, there exists an introspective, almost pensive expressiveness. Through her gaze and the slight parting of her lips, there is an impression of a living, breathing personality captured within a moment in time. David’s expertise in using light and shadow grants the artwork a three-dimensional quality, contributing to its lifelike presence.

The overall serenity and elegance of the composition reflect the Neoclassical penchant for order and harmony, revealing an artwork that is both timeless in its beauty and historically anchored in its representation of the intellectual rigor characteristic of the late 18th to early 19th centuries. This arresting portrait is a testament to Jacques-Louis David’s mastery as one of the foremost painters of the Neoclassical style.

Other Artwork from Jacques-Louis David

More Neoclassicism Artwork

Scroll to Top