Artwork
Violet
Violet is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist George Fuller. It dates from 1882 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper right: Violet / Sept. / 1882
About this work
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas in 1882, the work is a portrait in the naturalistic style then current in American figure painting. The handling is smooth and blended, with careful modeling of facial features and softly graded transitions in the flesh tones to suggest volume and life. The canvas support measures 68.5 cm in height by 55.8 cm in width.
History & Provenance
The work remained in the artist’s estate in Deerfield, Massachusetts, until 1911, after which it passed to his daughter, Agnes Gordon Fuller Tack.
George Fuller painted Violet, an oil on canvas, in 1882. The work remained in the artist’s estate in Deerfield, Massachusetts, until 1911, after which it passed to his daughter, Agnes Gordon Fuller Tack. In 1953, Tack gifted the painting to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it is now held.
Its dimensions are 68.5 × 55.8 cm. The available sources do not list a specific accession number or detail any public exhibition history for the painting.
Overview
Violet is an oil on canvas portrait created by George Fuller in 1882. This painting features a young girl, rendered with a quiet and reflective demeanor. The artist employs a focused composition, drawing the viewer's attention to the subject through a simple, dark background.
The work exemplifies Fuller's approach to portraiture, emphasizing mood and character through a subdued palette and intimate presentation.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a young girl with light-brown hair, styled with bangs, wearing a dark dress accented by a white lace collar. Her gaze is directed subtly to the right, beyond the frame, contributing to a sense of introspection. Her neutral facial expression, combined with the subdued lighting, cultivates a quiet and contemplative atmosphere throughout the composition, inviting viewers to ponder her inner state.
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