Federico Beltrán Masses, born in Cuba to Spanish parents, studied in Barcelona and Madrid, where he trained under Joaquín Sorolla. In 1915, he gained attention with his provocative portrait La Maja Marquesa,which encouraged him to move to Paris in 1916. His reputation grew internationally: his success at the 1920 Venice Biennale was exacerbated by exhibitions being organised in cities like Buenos Aires, Paris,and New York. Known as the successor of Boldini, he received numerous commissions from celebrities,notably actor Rudolph Valentino, and painted the portraits of royalty, popes, and cultural icons. His works are held in major institutions, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Museo Nacional Centro deArte Reina Sofía in Madrid.
Our Study of a Woman’s Face is both elegant and tantalising. The composition’s framing and foreshortening of the lower part of the face subtly suggests the model’s sublime beauty. In this unconventional portrait, the mouth, rendered with delicate and precise chalk strokes, exudes sensuality while sparking a sense of intrigue.