Young Girl with Red Hair Alexei Alexeivich Harlamoff (1840-1923)

The portrait presents a young woman in profile, her gaze directed downwards and away from the viewer. The artist has chosen a close-up composition, focusing primarily on her face and upper torso. A cascade of vibrant red hair dominates the visual field, its texture rendered with visible brushstrokes that suggest both volume and movement. The color is not uniform; highlights indicate light catching individual strands, while darker tones create depth within the mass of curls.
The woman’s skin tone appears delicate, with subtle indications of blush on her cheeks and a slight shadow beneath her chin. Her features are soft and youthful, though a hint of melancholy seems to linger in her expression. The downward cast of her eyes contributes to this sense of introspection or perhaps even sadness.
She is draped in what appears to be a light-colored shawl or wrap, its delicate lace detail visible along the neckline. The fabric’s folds are loosely rendered, adding a touch of informality to the overall presentation. Her hand rests gently on her shoulder, a gesture that could suggest either modesty or a quiet contemplation.
The background is indistinct and muted, painted in warm earth tones that recede into shadow. This lack of detail serves to emphasize the figure’s presence and draws attention to her features and hair. The artists signature appears discreetly in the lower right corner.
Subtleties within the work suggest a possible exploration of themes related to youth, beauty, and perhaps a nascent sense of self-awareness. The woman’s averted gaze implies an interiority that is not readily accessible, inviting speculation about her thoughts and feelings. The overall effect is one of quiet dignity and understated emotion, characteristic of portraiture focused on capturing the essence of character rather than merely physical likeness.