Artwork
Marie-Yolande de Fitz-James
Marie-Yolande de Fitz-James is an oil painting by the Realist artist Henri Fantin-Latour. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The composition centers on a three-quarter-length figure against a neutral ground, with careful attention to the sitter's attire and facial features.
The portrait is painted in oil on canvas, executed in 1867 by Henri Fantin-Latour. The handling emphasizes smooth, blended modeling of the face and costume, characteristic of Fantin-Latour's restrained realism. The composition centers on a three-quarter-length figure against a neutral ground, with careful attention to the sitter's attire and facial features.
The palette is subdued, relying on muted tones to convey the subject's poised presence, with refined, largely invisible brushwork reinforcing the painting's polished finish.
History & Provenance
Henri Fantin-Latour created the oil painting Marie-Yolande de Fitz-James in 1867 in France. The work depicts Marie-Yolande de Fitz-James and is executed in oil on canvas. It measures 50.2 cm in height and 42.2 cm in width. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Overview
Henri Fantin-Latour completed this oil painting, Marie-Yolande de Fitz-James, in 1867. This portrait exemplifies the Realist approach prevalent during the mid-19th century, emphasizing an accurate and unembellished depiction of its subject. The artwork offers insight into the period's artistic trends, focusing on direct observation rather than idealization.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features Marie-Yolande de Fitz-James, a young girl connected to Fantin-Latour's social circle. She is depicted with dark hair and a direct gaze that engages the viewer. Dressed in a white gown with pink sleeves and lace details, her expression is composed, and her dark eyes convey a subtle intensity, suggesting a thoughtful presence rather than a fleeting moment.
Context
Henri Fantin-Latour, a French artist known for his lithographs and paintings, developed a reputation for his floral still lifes and his group portraits of prominent Parisian cultural figures. While this work is a singular portrait, it aligns with his broader practice of capturing individuals with a quiet dignity. The painting is presently part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ignace Henri Jean Theodore Fantin-Latour (French pronunciation:; 14 January 1836 – 25 August 1904) was a French painter and lithographer best known for his flower paintings and group portraits of Parisian artists and writers.
