#41136 Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)

Here we observe a portrait study rendered in charcoal and wash on paper. The subject is a young woman depicted from the chest upwards, her gaze directed forward with a quiet intensity. Her features are delicately modeled; the nose is straight and slender, the lips softly curved, and the eyes possess a certain melancholy depth. A fringe of dark hair frames her face, falling loosely around her shoulders in undulating strands. The artist has employed a dense hatching technique to build up tonal variations, creating a sense of volume and texture within the portrait.
The background is left largely undefined, appearing as a uniform wash that allows the figure to emerge from the page. This lack of contextual detail directs attention solely towards the subject’s face and expression. The artists signature and date (Feb. 6, 1855) are visible in the lower-left corner, providing a temporal anchor for the work.
The drawing conveys an impression of introspection and perhaps even vulnerability. The womans expression is not overtly joyful or sorrowful, but rather suggests a quiet contemplation. There’s a sense of restraint in her posture and gaze, hinting at an inner life that remains largely unrevealed. The muted palette and the artist’s emphasis on subtle tonal shifts contribute to this atmosphere of subdued emotion.
The study appears to be preliminary work, likely intended as preparation for a larger composition or another artistic endeavor. It is not a fully realized portrait but rather a concentrated exploration of form, expression, and character. The unfinished quality lends it an immediacy and intimacy, inviting the viewer into a moment of observation and reflection on the subjects inner state.