Head of a Peasant Woman 1858

"Head of a Peasant Woman" is an oil on canvas painting created in 1858 by James Abbott McNeill Whistler. The portrait depicts a woman with a weathered face, wearing a white head covering. Whistler's early works were often influenced by Realism, showcasing the lives of ordinary people. This piece exemplifies his interest in capturing the beauty of everyday life through a direct and unidealized approach. The use of somber colors and the woman's simple attire further contribute to the artwork's realist aesthetic. Whistler's portrait offers a glimpse into the lives of working-class women in mid-19th-century Europe.