Woman Full Face, Her Head Slightly to the Left 1540 - 1550

"Woman Full Face, Her Head Slightly to the Left" is an engraving by Antonio Fantuzzi, made sometime between 1537 and 1545. Fantuzzi worked in the French court during a period of significant religious and cultural upheaval. His artistic output often reflects the aesthetic ideals and social norms of the Renaissance, particularly in its representation of women. Here, the woman's serene expression and idealized features project an image of beauty but also perhaps of the limited roles assigned to women of the time. Notice how her clothing, while elegant, drapes to expose her breasts. The sensuality might hint at the way female identity was so often tied to physicality. Her gaze, directed slightly off to the left, invites the viewer to contemplate her story, while her body remains an object of display. Fantuzzi's work captures both the artistic conventions and the underlying societal expectations of women in the 16th century. It encourages us to consider the complex interplay between beauty, identity, and representation.