Portrait of a Young Woman, Ottavio Mario Leoni, c. 1604 - c. 1608

black and white chalk, on blue paper, h 219mm × w 151mm More details

Ottavio Leoni was a popular portraitist among Rome’s most prominent families. However, he also drew ordinary people, such as this likeness of an unknown young woman. He depicted her face and loosely bound up hair with great precision, while sketching her body with just a few strokes. He had learnt this accuracy from his father, a medallist by profession.