La Vecchia (The Old Woman)
Painting on canvas • Giorgione (Giorgio Barbarelli da Castelfranco)
Style & Movement
High Renaissance (Venetian School)
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing sfumato for soft transitions and precise glazing to capture the textures of aged skin and fabric.
Creation Period
c. 1506
Dimensions & Format
68 cm x 59 cm (approx. 27 in x 23 in); Portrait format.
Subject Description
An elderly woman is depicted behind a parapet, pointing to herself while holding a slip of paper inscribed with 'COL TEMPO' (With Time). The painting is an allegory of aging and the transience of beauty/life (Vanitas). Her weathered face, missing teeth, and graying hair contrast with the dignity of her pose.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent/Very Good. Following a major restoration in 2018-2019, the vibrancy of the colors and the clarity of the details have been significantly recovered.
Estimated Market Value
Indistinguishable/Priceless. As an universally recognized masterpiece by a rare Renaissance master, its value would likely exceed $100 million if ever brought to market.
Auction Estimate
$80,000,000 - $150,000,000+ (Theoretical)
Provenance History
First recorded in the Vendramin collection in Venice (1601); later entered the collection of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm; currently in the Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice.
Art Historical Significance
A revolutionary work in Venetian art for its unflinching realism and psychological depth. It is one of the few undisputed works by Giorgione and a precursor to the character studies of Titian and Rembrandt.
Notable Features
The 'COL TEMPO' scroll is the most famous feature, serving as a direct memento mori. The ornate 16th-century style frame with intricate carvings further emphasizes its status as a high-value historical object.
Condition Issues
Historically suffered from yellowed varnishes and some abrasion on the paint surface; however, recent conservation has stabilized these issues and removed non-original overpainting.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with strictly regulated UV-filtered lighting. Housed in a protective micro-climate frame.