Portrait of Sonia

The painting titled Portrait of Sonia, an oil on canvas work completed in 1890, portrays Sonia Yanovski, the artist’s niece. Executed as a dedicated portrait, it was first shown at the 1890 Salon in Paris before entering the collection of Duncan Phillips in Washington, D.C., by 1926. In September 1936 the canvas was sold to Chester Dale, and following his death it was bequeathed to the National Gallery of Art in 1963, where it remains on view.

Created in 1890, Henri Fantin-Latour's Portrait of Sonia was first exhibited at the Paris Salon that same year. The work originally belonged to the sitter, Sonia Yanovski (later Sonia de Nikanoff), the artist's niece. By 1926, the painting entered the collection of Duncan Phillips in Washington, D.C. In September 1936, it was sold through Paul Rosenberg et Cie. in Paris to Chester Dale of New York.

Following Dale's death, the painting was bequeathed to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1963, where it remains in the permanent collection.

Henri Fantin-Latour's Portrait of Sonia, an oil on canvas completed in 1890, presents Sonia Yanovski in a seated pose. This work exemplifies the artist's characteristic realistic approach, situated within the broader context of the Post-Impressionist period. Fantin-Latour, a French painter and lithographer active in the late 19th century, was widely recognized for his detailed flower studies and his commemorative group portraits of Parisian cultural figures.

Created during the late 19th century, Portrait of Sonia represents one aspect of Henri Fantin-Latour's varied artistic production. While he was celebrated for his delicate floral still lifes and his notable group portraits of Parisian artists and writers, this individual study underscores his consistent commitment to depicting human subjects. The painting reflects the era's ongoing interest in portraiture, even amidst evolving art movements.