Head of a little girl 1887

Pellizza da Volpedo created this intimate oil sketch, "Head of a Little Girl," offering us a glimpse into the world of childhood through the eyes of a late 19th-century Italian artist. Volpedo, deeply involved in social and political movements, often used his art to reflect on the human condition. In this piece, the girl’s gaze, slightly averted, speaks volumes. We see her youth, but also a certain pensiveness. What does she see? What is she thinking about? Volpedo elevates the everyday, inviting us to consider the interior lives of those often overlooked. The sketch has a raw, unfiltered quality, which challenges the formal portraiture of the time. It reflects Volpedo's investment in the lives of working-class people. The piece ultimately reminds us that children aren’t blank slates. They are complex beings shaped by their experiences. It’s a tender portrayal, acknowledging the dignity and inner world of a young girl on the cusp of adulthood.