Léon Bonnat (French, 1833–1922)
An Italian Woman, ca. 1858–61
Oil on cardboard, 10 5/8 x 6 7/8 in.
2004.11

While studying in Rome from 1858 to 1860, Bonnat compiled sketches, like this charming oil study of a young woman, which carefully details her colorful native Italian costume—including her remarkable headdress. Once back in France, Bonnat used these sketches as source material for the large genre scenes of Italian girls that he turned to in the 1860s and 1870s.