French School Around 1850 - Young Roman Woman At The Entrance To A Church

French school around 1850
Young Roman at the entrance to a church
Oil on canvas
H. 60 cm; L. 48 cm

If this work from the heart of the 19th century remains anonymous today, it is nevertheless to be compared to the work of the French who traveled extensively in Italy such as Dominique Papety, Achille Bénouville, Jules Etna Michallon, etc.

More accustomed to these portraits presented as simple sketches or in a sunny landscape, this composition disturbs us first by the dark tone of the background. This canvas is no longer really a portrait but a scene, showing us a young Roman girl entering a church, dipping her fingertips into the holy water font before signing herself. The entry of light from the left of the composition and the movement of the woman on horseback between the two levels of steps give a rhythm to the work.