Artwork
Milliners
Milliners is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Albert Marquet. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The subject matter aligns with the broader category of genre art, capturing an ordinary moment of daily life rather than a historical or mythological narrative.
Albert Marquet's 1901 oil painting Milliners presents a genre scene centered on the trade of millinery. The work depicts women, specifically identified as modistes or hatmakers, engaged in their profession within a French setting. By focusing on these artisans at work, the painting serves as a documentary representation of early 20th-century female labor and the specific craft of hat making.
The subject matter aligns with the broader category of genre art, capturing an ordinary moment of daily life rather than a historical or mythological narrative.
Technique & Style
Milliners is an oil painting on canvas executed by Albert Marquet in 1901. The work measures 50.5 cm in height and 61 cm in width and belongs to the genre‑scene tradition, depicting a woman modiste at her trade. Marquet’s handling of the oil medium is typical of his early period, with a smooth application that defines the figure and interior setting.
The support is a plain woven canvas, and the painting remains in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
History & Provenance
The painting Milliners by Albert Marquet is dated 1901 and was created in France. It is recorded as part of the Sergei Shchukin collection before entering the holdings of the Hermitage Museum, where it remains located. Provenance indicates the work was produced in 1901 and later owned by Shchukin, a prominent Russian collector active in the early 20th century, prior to its transfer to the museum.
The painting is held by the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, where it is inventoried as part of the museum’s holdings.
It was formerly in the collection of Sergei Shchukin before entering the museum’s collection. The work has been exhibited at the Hermitage Museum as part of its permanent display of French modernist paintings.
Legacy
Albert Marquet's 1901 painting Milliners has been recognized for its subtle portrayal of fashionable women in domestic settings, influencing discussions of early 20th-century genre painting. The work entered the Hermitage Museum collection through the patronage of Sergei Shchukin, establishing its provenance in Russian avant-garde circles. Its dimensions of 50.5 cm by 61 cm are recorded in the museum's catalog, and its genre classification aligns with scenes of everyday life.
The painting's legacy is anchored in its representation within the Hermitage's holdings, reflecting Marquet's contribution to French genre art.
Overview
Albert Marquet’s 1901 oil painting Milliners presents an intimate interior scene illuminated by a narrow shaft of daylight. Two women are seated at a workbench, absorbed in the preparation of headwear. The composition is confined within a modestly sized canvas, emphasizing the quiet concentration of the figures against a muted, reddish backdrop.
Context
At the turn of the century, Parisian ateliers and workshops were frequent subjects for artists interested in modern life. Marquet’s focus on milliners aligns with contemporary interests in depicting urban labor, echoing the social realism of his peers while maintaining a personal, painterly approach.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Albert Marquet (French pronunciation:; 27 March 1875 – 14 June 1947) was a French painter.
