Portrait of a young maiden

The oil on canvas, signed at the top right by Telemaco Signorini, obliges a very close view of the painting and requires an immediate reflection on the deeply melancholy gaze of the child portrayed. The mood, which transpires from the eyes, is accentuated by the head, slightly reclined on the chest, and by the use of skilfully modulated light on the face, which remains mainly in dim light. The face, framed by long black hair divided by a central line and presumably gathered in two small braids, emerges from the green monochrome background also thanks to the bright white of the shirt that emerges from the blue polka dot dress. The image characterized by a strong emotional tension reveals the artist's ability to portray perfect physiognomies with quick brushstrokes and a skilful use of chiaroscuro.