Half-length portrait of a woman with clasped hands
Red chalk portrait, elaborate hair-net and pleated bodice
A woman is shown at half length, turned slightly to her right and gazing aside, her hair drawn back into an elaborate braided net topped by a coronet-like band. She wears a high, finely pleated blouse gathered at a decorated collar and fastened by a row of buttons or a chain down the front, and her hands are clasped at the waist holding a pair of gloves. The portrait is drawn in red chalk on paper stained and worn at the edges, with a Uffizi collection stamp at the lower left.
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Half-length female portrait
The sitter is seen from the waist up, her head turned three-quarters and her eyes directed to the side, giving a composed and lifelike presence. The rounded face, slender neck and sloping shoulders are carefully observed. The pose and costume mark this as a formal portrait study of a specific woman.
Clasped hands holding gloves
At the lower center the two hands are crossed and clasped over the waist, the fingers overlapping and holding a folded pair of gloves. The hands are studied in some detail, with a ring indicated on one finger.
Chalk modelling of hair and costume
Red chalk of varied pressure renders the braided hair-net, the decorated collar and the vertical pleating of the blouse, with softer rubbing for the shadowed folds of the sleeves. The graded shading gives the drapery and headdress convincing volume.