Artwork
Portrait of a Girl in Black
Portrait of a Girl in Black is an oil painting by the Fauvist artist André Derain. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
André Derain’s 1913 oil painting titled Portrait of a Girl in Black is part of the collection at the State Hermitage Museum. The work presents a solitary young female figure seated on a chair, rendered with a restrained palette and a focus on subtle tonal contrasts.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is a girl dressed in a black dress accented by a white lace collar, her dark hair gathered in a low bun. She sits upright, hands folded in her lap, and looks directly at the viewer with a neutral expression that suggests quiet introspection.
Technique & Style
Derain employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, using light and shadow to give the face and hands a three‑dimensional presence against a muted blue‑gray background. The limited color scheme and soft tonal shifts emphasize the contemplative atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1913, the portrait entered the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader interest in early twentieth‑century French painting.
Artist & collection
Artist
André Derain was a French artist, painter, sculptor and co-founder, with Henri Matisse, of Fauvism.
