Olga Boznańska - Self - portrait 1898
Olga Boznańska - Self - portrait 1898
Title: Self-Portrait
Author: Olga Boznańska
Date: 1898
Type: Drawing
Medium: Pastel
Dimensions: height: 102 cm, width: 65 cm; with frame: height: 114 cm, width: 76 cm, depth: 3 cm
This vertical drawing depicts a young Olga Boznańska in half-profile, turned slightly to the left, though her gaze is directed straight at the viewer. The composition is centered, with the figure filling almost the entire sheet. The portrait combines realism and precision in rendering facial features with Boznańska’s characteristic softness and haziness. Light falls from above, from the right, casting a shadow across the left side of her face. The palette consists of pale, bleached tones, with parts of the brown paper left uncovered to form part of the composition.
The focal point is the artist’s head, gently inclined but facing the viewer. Her dark hair is pinned up, framing an oval, fair face. The complexion is nearly white, contrasting with thin, rounded eyebrows. Her large dark eyes are slightly narrowed; the nose is long with a subtle bridge; the lips are thin and pressed together. The expression is restrained, neutral, devoid of overt emotion.
She wears a black dress with a high collar and long sleeves finished with puffed shoulders. The fabric is shaded with browns and softened by greenish highlights that add depth. Over the dress is a sleeveless white apron, extending beyond the frame. Her left hand appears faintly at the lower edge of the drawing, only lightly outlined without detail.
The background consists of a pale gray patch, concentrated around the sitter’s head and upper body, while the rest is left as the raw, orange-brown tone of the paper.
The portrait is calm, subdued, yet full of character. It is not a celebration of self-image but a quiet declaration of presence. Boznańska presents herself as confident and self-aware, yet delicate. The pastel medium lends softness and subtlety, while the limited palette reinforces the intimate, contemplative mood of the work.
Audio description prepared by Emilia Szymańska
Consultation: Adrian Wyka
Substantive Consultation: Urszula Kozakowska - Zaucha
Author: Olga Boznańska
Date: 1898
Type: Drawing
Medium: Pastel
Dimensions: height: 102 cm, width: 65 cm; with frame: height: 114 cm, width: 76 cm, depth: 3 cm
This vertical drawing depicts a young Olga Boznańska in half-profile, turned slightly to the left, though her gaze is directed straight at the viewer. The composition is centered, with the figure filling almost the entire sheet. The portrait combines realism and precision in rendering facial features with Boznańska’s characteristic softness and haziness. Light falls from above, from the right, casting a shadow across the left side of her face. The palette consists of pale, bleached tones, with parts of the brown paper left uncovered to form part of the composition.
The focal point is the artist’s head, gently inclined but facing the viewer. Her dark hair is pinned up, framing an oval, fair face. The complexion is nearly white, contrasting with thin, rounded eyebrows. Her large dark eyes are slightly narrowed; the nose is long with a subtle bridge; the lips are thin and pressed together. The expression is restrained, neutral, devoid of overt emotion.
She wears a black dress with a high collar and long sleeves finished with puffed shoulders. The fabric is shaded with browns and softened by greenish highlights that add depth. Over the dress is a sleeveless white apron, extending beyond the frame. Her left hand appears faintly at the lower edge of the drawing, only lightly outlined without detail.
The background consists of a pale gray patch, concentrated around the sitter’s head and upper body, while the rest is left as the raw, orange-brown tone of the paper.
The portrait is calm, subdued, yet full of character. It is not a celebration of self-image but a quiet declaration of presence. Boznańska presents herself as confident and self-aware, yet delicate. The pastel medium lends softness and subtlety, while the limited palette reinforces the intimate, contemplative mood of the work.
Audio description prepared by Emilia Szymańska
Consultation: Adrian Wyka
Substantive Consultation: Urszula Kozakowska - Zaucha