Portrait of a Woman and an Onlooker

Alfonso Ruspagiari

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture depicts a relief portrait of a woman in profile, facing to the right, with elaborate curly hair styled up and wearing a decorative necklace. Dressed in draped clothing that exposes one shoulder, the material appears to be a dark metallic bronze. Set within an oval frame, the piece includes relief designs with scroll-like decorations on the sides. The woman’s depiction is detailed, featuring delicate facial features and adornments typical of historical portraiture. The bronze has a golden hue, adding a sense of timelessness and elegance.