Head of a woman 1485 - 1499

This panel painting of a woman’s head was created by an anonymous artist, using simple brushstrokes on wood. The visible wood grain tells us this was a utilitarian object, repurposed for art. Notice the pattern near the edges, and the way the artist has worked around imperfections in the wood, suggesting this was once part of a larger structure. The image is not one of the virgin Mary, so it is likely not religious. Perhaps, then, it was a decoration in someone’s home? This contrast between the rough material and the refined image raises interesting questions. Was this an act of personal expression, or a commission? The labor involved is not highly skilled, but it speaks to a broader culture of making and doing. It reminds us that art can emerge from the everyday, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.