French school circa 1850 - Young roman woman in a church

French school circa 1850
Young Roman Woman at the Entrance to a Church
Oil on canvas
H. 60 cm; L. 48 cm

Although this work from the heart of the 19th century remains anonymous today, it is nonetheless comparable to the work of French artists who traveled extensively in Italy, such as Dominique Papety, Achille Bénouville, Jules Etna Michallon and others.

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