Portrait of a girl

National Gallery of Arts, Albania

Year: 1988
Technique: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 65 × 54.7 cm
Artist: Agim Zajmi

This artwork depicts the portrait of a young woman, approximately between sixteen and twenty-five years old, dressed in traditional clothing from northern Albania. The dominant colors — black and deep red — directly recall the symbolism of the Albanian flag, reinforcing the work’s cultural identity.

Set against a white background, the figure is painted in a three-quarter view. Although the final rendering is realistic, the brushwork remains free and expressive, allowing the painting to breathe and revealing the artist’s gesture and sensitivity.

Positioned slightly to the left according to the rule of thirds, the young woman conveys a pensive and dreamy expression. Beyond her beauty, the portrait carries a strong emotional dimension: the figure becomes a symbol of Albanian youth, embodying tradition, inner reflection, and the promise of the future.