Portrait of a Woman 

Giovanni Costa painted this 'Portrait of a Woman' using oils, presenting a figure reclining against a red cushion, holding a mask. The painting balances the formal conventions of portraiture with a theatrical flair. Notice how the woman's gaze meets ours, inviting a dialogue, while the mask introduces themes of identity and concealment. Costa masterfully uses light to define form, creating a soft modeling of the woman's face and body which contrasts with the darker background, enhancing the sense of depth. The textures are carefully rendered, from the smoothness of her skin to the detailed patterns of her dress, hinting at the social and cultural codes of the time. The composition itself, with its diagonal lines and carefully arranged elements, creates a dynamic tension. This tension reflects the broader artistic and philosophical interests of the time, questioning fixed identities and engaging with new ways of thinking about representation.