Profile of a Woman’s Head
Technique: Giclée quality print
Recommended by our customers
More about this artwork
Henry Ossawa Tanner's "Profile of a Woman’s Head" provides a deeply evocative and contemplative portrayal of a woman captured in an austere profile. Tanner, known for his nuanced handling of religious subjects and intimate studies of character, brings an introspective quality to this painting. The woman is depicted with her face turned to the side, her features delineated with crisp detail against a dark, richly hued background. The use of shadows and light not only accentuates the contours of her face but also subtly highlights her withdrawn expression.Her attire consists of a dark, hooded garment, suggesting an air of traditionalism or perhaps spirituality. Tanner's brushwork in the woman’s attire gently fuses with the darker tones of the background, focusing the viewer's attention squarely on the woman's facial expression. The thoughtful placement of light patches on her face creates a sense of depth and emotional complexity."Profile of a Woman’s Head" reflects Tanner’s exceptional ability to capture the essence of his subjects with realism and sensitivity. The painting invites viewers to ponder the story behind the woman’s contemplative demeanour, encouraging a moment of quiet reflection in the midst of a bustling gallery environment.
Delivery
Returns
Henry Ossawa Tanner (June 21, 1859 – May 25, 1937) was an American artist who spent much of his career in France. He became the first African-American painter to gain international acclaim. Tanner moved to Paris, France, in 1891 to study at the Académie Julian and gained acclaim in French artistic circles. His painting Daniel in the Lions' Den (1895, location unknown) was accepted into the 1896 Salon, the official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Tanner's Resurrection of Lazarus (1896, Musée d'Orsay, Paris) was purchased by the French government after winning the third-place medal at the 1897 Salon. In 1923, the French government elected Tanner chevalier of the Legion of Honor.