#41105 Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)

The drawing presents a portrait study of a young woman in profile. The artist has rendered her face and upper torso with meticulous attention to detail, utilizing a technique that emphasizes texture and subtle shading. Here we see the subject turned slightly towards the viewer, allowing for a glimpse of her eye and a partial view of her lips.
The rendering of hair is particularly noteworthy; it appears voluminous and loosely arranged, suggesting naturalness rather than rigid formality. Individual strands are delineated with delicate lines, creating a sense of movement and softness. The artist has employed hatching and cross-hatching to build up tonal variations in the hair, giving it depth and dimension.
The woman’s features suggest an air of quiet contemplation or perhaps even melancholy. Her gaze is directed off to the side, avoiding direct engagement with the viewer. A small earring adorns her earlobe, a subtle indication of refinement. The neckline of her garment is softly rendered, blending into the background and drawing attention back to the subject’s face.
The monochromatic palette contributes to an atmosphere of intimacy and introspection. The absence of color encourages close observation of form and texture. The dark background serves to isolate the figure, intensifying the focus on her expression and demeanor.
Subtly, the portrait conveys a sense of restrained elegance and perhaps a hint of vulnerability. The subject’s posture and facial expression suggest an inner life that is not readily revealed. Its possible the artist intended to capture not just a likeness but also a suggestion of character or mood. The drawing feels like a moment captured in time, offering a glimpse into the private world of its subject.