Portrait of an Italian Woman, ca. 1840 - ca. 1841

Théodore Chassériau belongs to the classic, academic group of painters in nineteenth-century French painting. Later on in his career, following a voyage to Algeria among others, his work gradually became more colourful and dynamic. This portrait is part of a series of studies drawn from life around 1840-1841 during his stay in Rome and Naples. Four studies have been attributed to the artist, all probably using the same model. His art is noble and at the same time has a sensuous feel to it. Its mysterious charm is mainly the outcome of the type of woman that he chose to paint.