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Profile of a Woman's Head

  • Henry Ossawa Tanner, Profile of a Woman's Head, n.d., oil on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Robbins, 1983.95.201

Luce Center Label

Henry Ossawa Tanner made many portraits while visiting the Holy Land to use as studies for his religious paintings. In the traditional dress of the Middle East, this woman resembles the images of Christ’s mother that Tanner created, such as Mary from about 1914. Tanner placed the woman against a dark background, a compositional trick that he learned from his teacher Thomas Eakins.

Title
Profile of a Woman's Head
Artist
Henry Ossawa Tanner
Date
n.d.
Location
  1. Smithsonian American Art Museum
  2. Luce Foundation Center
  3. 3rd Floor
  4. 11B
Dimensions
14 1/8 x 11 3/4 in. (35.8 x 30.0 cm.)
Copyright
Credit Line

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Robbins

Mediums
oil
Mediums Description
oil on wood
Classifications
Painting
Keywords
  • Portrait female – unidentified
  • Portrait female – unidentified – profile
  • Dress – accessory – scarf
Object Number
1983.95.201
Palette
Linked Open Data URI

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