Head of a girl

Van Gogh's Head of a Girl from 1888, painted at Arles, belongs to the informal portrait studies he made throughout his time in the south. This study of a young female face likely represents one of the local Arles women he encountered, rendered with the direct observational attention he brought to all his portrait subjects. Van Gogh's Arles portrait studies are less well-documented than his series of the Roulin family and the Zouave portraits, but they form an important part of his figure work during the productive southern period. The work is currently unlocated or in private hands.

The girl's face is rendered with Van Gogh's direct portrait observation, the youthful features given specific attention without academic idealization. His Arles palette brings warm color to the face. Brushwork is characteristic of his mature approach — confident, directional strokes building form and character simultaneously.