Raffaello e giulio romano, ritratto di giovane donna, 1518-20 (strasburgo, mba) 03

The woman is depicted in a close-up view with a neutral expression and a subtle side-long gaze. She wears an elaborate headdress of white and gold fabric, decorated with a jeweled brooch, a large pearl, and thick gold tassels. The smooth, porcelain-like skin and precise lighting are characteristic of the late Roman style of Raphael's workshop.

This portrait embodies the High Renaissance aesthetic of 'venustas' (grace), which was influenced by Neoplatonic thought. Within this tradition, the harmony and beauty of the human face were viewed as an earthly reflection of divine order and the inner state of the soul.