Portrait of a Young Woman

Giacomo Trecourt · ca. 1855
Oil on canvas
Pavia, Italy - Museo Civico
LDA · XXXV · MMXXV

Source
Book · Pittura Lombarda dal Romanticismo alla Scapigliatura di Gustavo Predaval · Fratelli Fabbri Editori · 1967 · p. 37

Trecourt presents the sitter in an oval format that concentrates attention on head, hands and upper torso. The upward turn of the face recalls devotional imagery familiar from earlier Italian painting. The crossed hands at the chest introduce a codified gesture associated with modesty and interior reflection in mid 19th century pictorial language. The simple garment and restrained colour range place emphasis on complexion and modelling, aligning the work with the Pavia school’s interest in clarity of form and controlled expression.

Reposting welcome; please credit Libreria d’Arte - Studio Soli.

Detail
Hands - Held in a demure gesture, likely a representation of class, innocence, modesty and propriety.