A young woman is shown in strict profile, her face turned to the left and her gaze directed into the distance beyond the edge of the canvas. Her dark, wavy hair cascades over her shoulders, held back from her brow by a bright red ribbon that stands out against the deep brown tones. A large, gold hoop earring catches the light at her ear, echoing the warm highlights in her hair and the subtle glow on her cheek.

She wears a simple white blouse with loose sleeves, the fabric rendered in swift, textured brushstrokes that convey both volume and softness. Around her neck, a string of red beads adds a vivid accent that harmonizes with the ribbon in her hair and the dabs of red and orange in the lower left corner. Her features are delicately modelled, with a strong, straight nose, full lips, and a slightly shadowed eye that suggests depth and introspection.

The background is a swirl of pale, creamy tones, with loose, energetic brushwork that keeps the focus on the sitter while hinting at an undefined space. Broad, confident strokes build up the texture of the hair and blouse, while finer touches define the jewelry and the contours of the face. The lower left corner bursts with flecks of red, orange, and green, suggesting a bouquet or patterned fabric, painted with a freedom that contrasts with the careful modelling of the head.

Light falls from the left, illuminating her forehead, cheek, and the top of her shoulder, while casting the far side of her face and hair into gentle shadow. The composition is tightly focused, with the figure filling nearly the entire frame and the background kept deliberately abstract. Every detail, from the glint of the earring to the soft shadow beneath her chin, is shaped by Sorolla’s lively, expressive handling of paint. Cabeza de italiana is the work of Joaquín Sorolla, whose name is given in the title line.