Artwork
Madame Théodore Gobillard (Yves Morisot, 1838–1893)
Madame Théodore Gobillard (Yves Morisot, 1838–1893) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1869 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting is a portrait whose main subject is Yves Elisabeth Morisot, identified in the work's title as Madame Théodore Gobillard, her married name following her 1868 union with Théodore Gobillard. As a portrait genre work, the canvas depicts a woman situated in an interior setting, presenting the sitter in a domestic environment typical of Degas's intimate portrait practice. The composition centers on Morisot herself, who was the artist's sister-in-law and a fellow painter within the Impressionist circle, framing her as both family member and artistic contemporary.
The interior backdrop situates the subject within a private, personal sphere rather than a formal studio context, emphasizing the personal connection between painter and sitter.
Technique & Style
The painting was created by Edgar Degas and later entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view.
The work is an oil painting executed on canvas, measuring approximately 55.2 cm in height by 65.1 cm in width and dated 1869. It belongs to the portrait genre and depicts Yves Elisabeth Morisot in an interior setting. The painting was created by Edgar Degas and later entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its provenance includes ownership by Louisine Havemeyer and Michel Manzi before accession by the museum.
History & Provenance
Edgar Degas executed this oil-on-canvas portrait in 1869, depicting Yves Elisabeth Morisot, who later became Madame Théodore Gobillard. The work's ownership history includes possession by Michel Manzi and the prominent collector Louisine Havemeyer. Following its time with these private owners, the painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains housed.
The canvas measures 55.2 by 65.1 centimeters and is classified as a portrait genre piece situated within an interior setting.
Legacy
The 1869 portrait by Edgar Degas, depicting Yves Elisabeth Morisot, is part of the artist's extensive portrait series and resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its provenance through collectors such as Louisine Havemeyer and Michel Manzi highlights its passage through prominent private holdings, reinforcing its recognized status within Degas scholarship and continued influence on modern interpretations of Impressionist portraiture.
Overview
Edgar Degas painted Madame Théodore Gobillard (Yves Morisot) in 1869, depicting the artist's sister-in-law seated on a sofa in a domestic interior. The composition captures Yves Morisot in a dark, high-necked dress, her posture relaxed yet formal as she gazes directly at the viewer. Degas employs a loose, rapid brushwork technique that prioritizes the immediacy of the moment over polished finish, characteristic of his approach to portraiture during this period.
The setting is subdued, with a window in the background providing a soft, diffused light that contrasts with the deep shadows of the room and the heavy drapery to the side. This work reflects Degas's interest in capturing the psychological presence of his subjects within intimate, unposed environments, bridging the gap between traditional portraiture and the emerging Impressionist sensibility. Painted shortly before the artist's full immersion in the Impressionist movement, it demonstrates his mastery of composition and his ability to convey character through subtle gestures and atmospheric lighting.
The painting remains a significant example of Degas's portraiture, highlighting his unique ability to blend formal structure with spontaneous execution.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas on 19 July 1834 in Paris, Edgar Degas came from an affluent banking family with aristocratic roots and spent his childhood among the cultivated circles of the French capital.
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