Woman’s Head (c.1750) by Francois Boucher

Woman's Head - Francois Boucher - c.1750

Artwork Information

TitleWoman's Head
ArtistFrancois Boucher
Datec.1750
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions36 x 28 cm
Art MovementRococo
Current LocationHermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia

About Woman's Head

The artwork entitled “Woman’s Head,” created circa 1750 by the artist Francois Boucher, is an oil on canvas portrait reflecting the Rococo art movement. Measuring 36 x 28 cm, this portrait is part of the collection at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

This notable work captures the delicate aesthetics typical of Rococo, with a focus on lightness, grace, and elegance. The artwork portrays the profile of a woman with her head gently turned to the side, which accentuates the curvature of her neck and the softness of her features. Her complexion is rendered with a smooth, creamy palette, indicative of the period’s fondness for idealized beauty.

The subject’s hair is styled into an intricate coiffure with a blue ribbon that provides a tasteful contrast to her auburn hair, enhancing the artwork with an element of color and luxury. The woman’s attire, depicted in flowing drapery that reveals her shoulder, adds to the sensuality and unguarded naturalism that Boucher is known for. The brushwork is delicate, capturing the texture of skin and fabric with finesse. Facial features such as her cheeks bear a rosy hue, giving the subject a lively appearance, while her expression, contemplative yet serene, invites viewers to ponder her thoughts.

The intimate scale of the portrait and the close focus on the subject adds to its sense of immediacy, making it seem as if the viewer is having a personal encounter with the woman depicted. The artwork is a fine example of Boucher’s masterful technique and the Rococo style’s preoccupation with beauty, showcasing an interplay of light and color that brings forth the charm and elegance of the era.

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