Study of a Woman's Head

Venetian School

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing from the Venetian School. The drawing shows a woman's head tilted to the left with her gaze looking down and to the right. Her hair has a centre parting and is gathered in a thick braid, which is wrapped over her head. The artist has drawn dark shadows blow the woman's eyes and nose, and down the right side of the face. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "No. 11 VENETIAN SCHOOL STUDY OF A WOMAN'S HEAD Collection of the Duke of Devonshire. Black chalk. 26.2 x 18.8 cm. (10 5/16 x 7 7/16 in.). This Giorgionesque drawing has been ascribed in the past to Titian, to Lotto, and to Bonifazio; it presents so many characteristics common to painting by Giorgione that I would urge the reconsideration of its attribution. Most of Lotto's drawings are executed like this one in chalks on a toned paper of similar colour; the headdress becomes more frequent in works following upon Giorgione's death. The reproduction over-emphasizes the contrast of light and shade; the original drawing reveals a more tender use of chiaroscuro and a greater delicacy of handling. The exaggeration of the parting of the hair reflects a habit in both artists, but the sharp oval of the face and the bow-shaped upper lip are typical of Giorgione, whilst the large and ugly ear resembles the treatment of that feature in the portrait of Antonio Broccardo at Buda-Pesth. Something tremulous and difficult to define, a latent mystery in the downward glance, differentiates this work from the more bland and sentimental range of expression which Lotto gives his heads. CHARLES RICKETTS."