Head Study of a Corsican Boy John William Waterhouse (1849-1917)

This painting, titled Head Study of a Corsican Boy, is a portrait of a young boy wearing a wreath of dark green leaves on his head. His face is turned slightly upwards and to the viewers left, with his eyes closed or downcast, and a soft blush on his cheeks. He is depicted wearing a reddish-brown garment with darker trim around the shoulders. The brushwork is loose and expressive, particularly in the rendering of his clothing and the background, which consists of dark, abstract strokes.
The subtext of the painting can be interpreted in several ways. The wreath of leaves often symbolizes victory, achievement, or a connection to nature and classical ideals. The boys closed eyes and upward gaze could suggest introspection, prayer, or perhaps a moment of peace and contemplation. The title Corsican Boy grounds the portrait in a specific time and place, hinting at a particular cultural context or perhaps a solitary figure from the island. The relatively unfinished nature of the lower part of the painting, particularly the clothing and background, emphasizes the study aspect, suggesting an focus on capturing the essence of the boys features and expression rather than a fully rendered, polished portrait. This unfinished quality can also evoke a sense of fleeting youth or a moment caught in time.