Virginie Being Admired While the Marquis Cavalcanti Looks On
1876
pastel
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1876
pastel
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows three people in a dimly lit room. A woman in a red bow sits on a stool, holding a fan. Two men in suits stand nearby—one with a pipe, the other looking away. The brushstrokes are loose and smudgy, with some orange pastel marks on the floor. The woman’s outfit and the men’s formal clothes suggest a social gathering, maybe a party or theater. The painting feels quick and sketchy, like a snapshot rather than a polished work. Next, check out pastel to see how artists use soft, chalky sticks to add color.
