Old World Portraits
Head of a Man (The Muleteer)
Pietro della Vecchia
This evocative 18th-century portrait captures a moment of intense expression through dramatic lighting and powerful gestures.
Head of a Woman (The Muleteer's Wife)
Pietro della Vecchia
1700 · Canvas, Panel, Oil Paint
A dramatic and expressive character study of an elderly woman, rendered with intense light and shadow.
$129
For the selected configuration
From $129
6 frame sizes
Frame size
Frame color
Mount
Paper type
Glaze
Made to order in ~2 business days · Free U.S. standard shipping (typically 5–8 business days after dispatch)
Where it works
A substantial, grounding work with crisp neutral depth — anchors the wall with steady presence.
- Often works in
- Library · Study · Living Room
- Placement
- Strongest where a vertical wall can take more presence
- Walls
- Reads strongest on light or mid-tone walls
- Color notes
- Charcoal black, Soft gray
About the piece
This compelling portrait, attributed to the Venetian master Pietro della Vecchia, captures the weathered character and intense gaze of an elderly woman, traditionally identified as a muleteer's wife. The work is a masterclass in chiaroscuro, utilizing a stark contrast between the bright whites of the headscarf and the deep, mysterious shadows of the background to create a sense of profound presence and historical weight.
More like this
