Profile of a Female Figure (Possibly Joan of Arc)
Painting on wooden panel (small cabinet format) • Francesco Furini (1603–1646) or Workshop
Style & Movement
Florentine Baroque (Sfumato style)
Medium & Technique
Oil on panel employing sfumato, soft glazing, and delicate chiaroscuro to achieve misty transitions and atmospheric depth.
Creation Period
circa 1630-1650
Dimensions & Format
19cm x 15.8cm; Portrait format
Subject Description
A youthful female figure in profile, possibly identified as Joan of Arc (Jehanne la Pucelle) or a generic 'sfumata' beauty popular in 17th-century Florence. The subject features downcast eyes and ethereal lighting that emphasizes the softness of the skin against a dark background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; professionally cleaned and conserved.
Estimated Market Value
$8,000 - $15,000 USD (based on workshop attribution and scale)
Auction Estimate
$6,000 - $10,000 USD
Provenance History
Private collection, London; historical ownership remains under research but characteristic of 17th-century Florentine cabinet collecting.
Art Historical Significance
Furini was a leading figure of the Florentine Seicento known for 'lo sfumato furiniano.' This work reflects the morbid grace and sensual melancholy typical of his oeuvre, contributing to the understanding of small-scale devotional or poetic portraiture in the Medici circle.
Notable Features
The use of sfumato is particularly refined, creating a 'smoky' edge around the profile. Housed in a period-style ripple-molded frame with a decorative hanging ring, consistent with 17th-century presentation.
Condition Issues
Previously discolored varnish has been removed; minor retouching likely to address historic abrasions consistent with the age of the wooden panel.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) to prevent wooden panel warping; keep in current UV-protective satin varnish; keep away from direct heat sources.
Collector Notes
Profile of a Female Figure (possibly Joan of Arc / Jehanne la Pucelle) Francesco Furini or his workshop Type Painting on wooden panel (small cabinet format) Medium Oil on panel employing sfumato, soft glazing, and delicate chiaroscuro to achieve misty transitions and atmospheric depth. Period circa 1630-1650 Dimensions 19cm × 15.8cm; Small-scale Portrait format The painting is from a private London collection and has been recently cleaned with minor retouching and anti uv conservation grade satin varnish with the old discoloured varnish removed.