Cosola Demetrio (1851-1895)+ Oil on canvas +Portrait of a woman

This profile portrait, painted in 1887, is a characteristic work by Demetrio Cosola, a prominent figure of the Turin school. The Italian artist, trained at the Albertina Academy, moves away from genre scenes here to focus on a deeply intimate and sober study. The subject, a woman with a noble bearing, stands out against a dark background that emphasizes the delicacy of her features and natural complexion, reflecting the realist movement of the late 19th Century.

The technique used in this oil on canvas demonstrates a remarkable mastery of contrasts. While the face is rendered with academic softness, the clothing shows a modern freedom of execution. The pink shawl, structured with generous and fragmented brushstrokes, creates a vibrant texture that captures the light. The state of conservation of the pictorial layer is excellent, preserving all the vitality of the original pigments.

The work is authenticated by the monogram D.C. and the date, located at the bottom right of the composition. For the collector of Italian painting, this piece represents a valuable record of Cosola's art, blending classical rigor with modern sensibility. The presence of a delicately painted earring and the attention to the hairstyle add a sociological dimension to this portrait of Piedmontese society, presented in its period frame.