Head of a Woman c. 17th century

Cesare Rossetti rendered this evocative “Head of a Woman” using pen and brown ink with red chalk during the late 16th to early 17th century. Rossetti, an Italian artist, was working within a society that held particular expectations for women, often viewing them through the lenses of chastity and domesticity. Rossetti's intimate portrayal transcends these limitations. The woman's gaze, though soft, meets the viewer with an almost challenging frankness, her expression hinting at an inner life, a story beyond the surface. While the artwork appears traditional in its medium and subject, it subtly disrupts the conventional representation of women. Rossetti's choice to focus on her inner world, rather than idealizing her physical appearance, suggests an alternative narrative. It's as if Rossetti wanted to capture not just her likeness, but also her thoughts, her dreams, her very essence. This drawing, delicate yet bold, invites us to look beyond the surface and contemplate the untold stories of women throughout history.