Artwork
The Japanese Robe
The Japanese Robe is an oil painting by the Japonisme artist Alfred Stevens. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The Japanese Robe is an oil painting on canvas created by Alfred Stevens in 1872. The medium is oil paint applied to a canvas support. It depicts a woman, a mirror, and a Japanese robe, presenting these elements in a representational manner. The work is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
History & Provenance
Painted by Alfred Stevens in 1872, The Japanese Robe is an oil-on-canvas work depicting a woman with a mirror and robe, measuring 92.7 x 63.8 cm. The painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains. No information about its commission, prior ownership chain, or specific circumstances of creation beyond the date of 1872 is provided in the available sources.
Overview
It is currently housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a key example of his output.
Alfred Stevens, a Belgian painter working in 19th-century Paris, completed The Japanese Robe in 1872. This oil painting depicts a woman within an interior, notably adorned in an imported Japanese garment. The artwork exemplifies Stevens's characteristic focus on elegant female figures of his era.
It is currently housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a key example of his output.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a woman from behind, her form enveloped in a vibrant blue robe patterned with white and red florals. Her hair is neatly styled, and she carries a small white bag. The interior setting includes a dark wall and a mirror that reflects a dimly lit room, suggesting a private space.
This prominent display of a Japanese robe highlights the contemporary European fascination with East Asian aesthetics, a phenomenon known as Japonisme.
Context
Created in 1872, The Japanese Robe emerged during a period when Japanese art and culture profoundly impacted European artistic trends, a movement termed Japonisme. Alfred Stevens was particularly known for his refined portrayals of modern women in their domestic environments, often incorporating fashionable accessories and decor. This work situates Stevens within the Parisian art scene, where artists frequently explored new subjects and stylistic influences.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alfred Émile Léopold Stevens (11 May 1823 – 24 August 1906) was a Belgian painter, known for his paintings of elegant modern women.
