Porträt einer Dame ("La Schiavona")

Portrait of a Lady ('La Schiavona')

We do not know who this woman is, but her direct engagement with the viewer makes her hard to forget. It is a portrait of rare frankness. The profile relief on the parapet - recalling ancient cameos - seems to repeat her features. It was a late addition, painted over her dress, as can be seen because the surface paint layer has gone partly transparent.