Italian school, ca. 1850

Italian school, ca. 1850.
"Portrait of young girl with white rabbit".
Oil on canvas oval format.
With some damage in the golden frame.
Measurements: 73 x 60 cm; 93 x 79 cm (frame).

This portrait embodies the sensibility of the Italian academic painting of the mid-nineteenth century. The oval format, especially appreciated at the time for works intended for the private and family environment, reinforces the intimate and delicate character of the composition. The young woman is depicted with a serene expression while holding a white rabbit, a motif loaded with symbolism associated with innocence, purity and gentleness, underlining a protective and gentle attitude.

The work stands out for its careful technique: a fluid but controlled brushstroke and a subtle play of chiaroscuro that contrasts the luminous skin of the face and the shiny fur of the animal with a dark and atmospheric background. The sober clothing, with a wide white collar and dark garment, typical of the European youth fashion of the 1850s, concentrates the attention on the sweetness of the gesture and the grace of the portrait.