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Bust of a Young Woman

Bust of a Young Woman is a marble sculpture by Andrea del Verrocchio, measuring 48 x 48.7 x 23.8 cm and now housed in the Frick Collection in New York. Although the work is not documented, the attribution to Verrocchio is considered fairly secure through comparisons with other works such as Lady with a Posy. Its dating remains uncertain and has been placed between about 1460 and 1483. The subject has not yet been identified, despite the heraldic motif on the young woman’s sleeves. The bust shows an attentive, concentrated expression, with the head turned slightly to the right, and a complex hairstyle of curls, ribbons, and rosettes typical of Florentine women of the period.

Marble bust of a young woman with tightly curled hair and an ornate carved garment.
Bust of a Young Woman, a marble portrait sculpture with curled hair and decorated clothing.
March 2019 © · CC BY 3.0
The back of a marble bust of a young woman with an elaborate coiled hairstyle and decorated drapery over the shoulders.
Back view of Andrea del Verrocchio’s Bust of a Young Woman, showing the ornate hairstyle and carved drapery.
March 2019 © · CC BY 3.0
Bust of a Young Woman showing the back and side of the sculpted head with an elaborate wavy hairstyle and carved rosette motifs.
Bust of a Young Woman, with a detailed view of the sculpted hairstyle from the back and side.
March 2019 © · CC BY 3.0
The back of Verrocchio\'s Bust of a Young Woman, showing an intricately carved hairstyle with waves, bands, and floral rosettes.
The back of Verrocchio\'s Bust of a Young Woman, highlighting the detailed carved hairstyle.
March 2019 © · CC BY 3.0
Detail of the Bust of a Young Woman showing carved foliage bands and oak leaf motifs in white marble.
Close-up detail of Verrocchio’s Bust of a Young Woman, with decorative foliage and oak leaf carving in the marble.
March 2019 © · CC BY 3.0

Identification

TitleBust of a Young Woman
French titleLe Buste d'une jeune femme
TypeBust
SubjectA young woman; the subject has not yet been identified
Original titleIl Busto di giovane donna

Historical context

Stylistic comparisonThe hairstyle was common among other Florentine women of the period
Datecirca 1460–1483; a more specific date of circa 1465–66 is given in image captions
Comparative workCompared with Leonardo da Vinci's Portrait of Ginevra de' Benci

Creator

ArtistAndrea del Verrocchio
AttributionAttributed to Andrea del Verrocchio; the attribution is considered fairly secure/entirely certain
Attribution basisBased on comparisons with other works by Verrocchio, especially Lady with a Posy and Lady with a Bouquet in the Bargello Museum in Florence

Discovery and provenance

Documentation statusThe work is not documented

Physical characteristics

Dimensions48 × 48.7 × 23.8 cm

Materials

MaterialMarble

Appearance

Head positionHead turned slightly to the right, as if responding to something that drew her attention
HairstyleComplex hairstyle with curls gathered with ribbons and rosettes, then left loose at the sides
Clothing detailHer sleeves carry an heraldic motif that has not yet been identified
ExpressionAttentive and concentrated

Location and ownership

Current locationFrick Collection, New York

Other

Image-captioned viewsSide view; detail of clothing; rear view; hairstyle; sleeve detail