Four Heads of Women: Study for “The Happy Island” (Quatre têtes de Femmes: Étude pour “L’Ile Heureuse”)

1899

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Nude

Dominant colour

Four Heads of Women: Study for “The Happy Island” (Quatre têtes de Femmes: Étude pour “L’Ile Heureuse”) is a 1899 by Paul-Albert Besnard, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Paul-Albert Besnard
When & what style?: 1899 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

The painting features four women's heads in various poses, with three of them facing left and one facing right. The subjects are depicted in a loose, sketchy style, with visible lines and strokes that suggest a study or preparatory work. The women's facial expressions are serene, with their eyes cast downward or to the side. The overall mood of the painting is one of quiet contemplation, with the subjects lost in thought. This painting is reminiscent of the work of artists who explored the human form in a more realistic and expressive way. For more information on this style, look into the movement of Realism.