Louis-Leopold Boilly – Profile of a Young Woman′s Head Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

The work presents a portrait study focusing on the bust of a young woman in profile. The composition is contained within an oval format, typical of miniature portraits from the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Here we see a subject with fair skin, rendered with delicate shading that suggests soft lighting. Her hair is styled in a fashionable arrangement of the period – dark curls gathered at the nape of her neck and swept up into a bun, with tendrils framing her face. The artist has paid particular attention to capturing the texture of the hair, using short, rapid brushstrokes to convey volume and movement.
The woman’s gaze is directed downwards, lending an air of introspection or perhaps melancholy to her expression. Her lips are gently closed, contributing to a sense of quiet reserve. She wears a white chemise neckline, visible just below her chin, which provides a contrast in texture against the smoothness of her skin and the darker tones of her hair.
The background is rendered in muted earth tones – ochre and umber – applied with loose brushwork that creates a hazy, atmospheric effect. This lack of detail draws attention to the figure itself, emphasizing her presence within the composition. The ground appears almost like an aged ivory surface, which contributes to the overall sense of delicacy and refinement.
Subtly, the portrait conveys a sense of social standing and propriety. The woman’s attire is simple yet elegant, suggesting a comfortable position within society. Her posture and expression communicate restraint and dignity, qualities valued in women of that era. Theres an understated elegance to the work; it isnt overtly sentimental or dramatic, but rather offers a quiet observation of a young woman caught in a moment of private reflection. The artist’s skill lies not only in the accurate depiction of features but also in capturing a fleeting psychological state – a sense of inner life hinted at through subtle gestures and expression.