The young Italian artist Francesca Strino graduated from the  esteemed Accademia delle Belle Arti of Naples with honours having specialised in the areas of portraiture and sculpture. Her subject matter is mostly women, more specifically beautiful young women. In her intimate portraits Francesca captures an ephemeral loveliness that is particular to women on the verge of adulthood. Her figures are not quite women but they are no longer girls, there is still a touching innocence behind the apparently knowing smiles and alluring glances of her sitters. Francesca paints with great confidence and virtuosity, something that should be admired in such a young artist. In all of her paintings she clearly takes a great deal of pleasure from her chosen medium of oil paint on canvas. Her sophisticated use of chiaro scuro and academic training combine with natural talent resulting in paintings which are both visually arresting and emotionally engaging.