The head of J.Y.M. II

Private collection.

Canvas, oil.

J.Y.M is the initials of Juliet Yardley Mills, who was a professional model and posed for the artist twice a week for many years. Among all the images of Julia, this portrait, depicting a young woman sitting with her head thrown back, is the most expressive and bright. Thick strokes of paint without unnecessary nuances and details cover large areas of the canvas. Despite such a crude method, the picture reveals the femininity and natural grace of the model, and the gray-black palette that the master was forced to use for lack of funds for expensive bright paints makes the painting melancholic.