Head of an Italian Woman
Jean-Léon Gérôme·c. 1847
Historical Context
Jean-Léon Gérôme painted this head study of an Italian woman around 1847, during his formative years of travel in Italy that shaped his artistic development. These character studies from life served as preparation for larger compositions and document Gérôme's early engagement with direct observation. Before becoming the leading Orientalist and Neo-Grec painter in France, Gérôme honed his skills through such intimate studies of Italian types.
Technical Analysis
The oil on fabric shows Gérôme's early academic technique at its most naturalistic, with careful modeling of the face through warm flesh tones. The direct, unpretentious treatment of the subject reflects his engagement with the Italian model tradition practiced by French Academy students in Rome.
Provenance
Perhaps Italienne commissioned from the artist by Joseph Courcelles, Vesoul, before 1847. Goupil to Hoey, New York, 1867, as an étude, for ff 250. Probably acquired as Tête d'Italienne from Gérôme by Goupil, May 1871, for ff 2,250 and sold to Everard, London, for ff 3,000, and then Goupil bought it back in London, May 1871, for ff 3,500 and sold it 31 July 1871 to Knoedler, New York, for ff 4,000 francs on a fixed account.3 Boussod, Valadon & Cie to Delmonico, New York, 1885. Belgian private collection. Christie's, London, 20 February 1976 (lot 153, repr.), Study of a Roman, property of a Belgian private collector, £400. Shepherd Gallery, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Noah L. Butkin, Cleveland. Bequeathed to the CMA in 1980.
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