Sunlit Courtyard Portrait of a Young Black Woman

An oil painting portrait of a young Black woman standing in a sunlit courtyard. The scene is rendered with visible brushstrokes and rich impasto texture, blending realism with lyrical impressionism. Warm golden-hour light caresses her features, casting soft shadows and a gentle glow on the skin. She wears a flowing pastel linen dress, a simple gold necklace, and her natural hair is styled in loose curls that frame her face. The courtyard features weathered stone walls, terracotta tiles, blooming bougainvillea and climbing ivy, a small fountain in the background, and potted plants. The color palette uses warm earth tones—ochre, terracotta, sage green, and touches of cobalt blue in the shadows—to convey serenity and timelessness. The composition is intimate, with the woman slightly turned, looking toward the viewer with a tranquil, contemplative expression.