Artwork
Woman in Profile
Woman in Profile is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Henri-Jean Guillaume Martin. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
2 centimeters, reinforces the upright orientation of the profiled figure and concentrates attention on her outline and bearing.
Woman in Profile is a portrait whose subject is a woman, depicted by Henri-Jean Guillaume Martin in 1895. The painting's main subject, as catalogued, is simply a woman, and the work is classified within the genre of portraiture, indicating that her likeness is the central focus rather than a narrative or allegorical scene. Executed in oil on canvas, the portrait presents the female sitter in profile, a compositional choice that emphasizes contour and silhouette over frontal engagement.
The slender, vertical format of the canvas, measuring 45.3 by 23.2 centimeters, reinforces the upright orientation of the profiled figure and concentrates attention on her outline and bearing. Within the documented record, no specific iconographic attributes, symbolic objects, or identifying narrative elements are recorded for the sitter, and the work is not described as carrying an allegorical or emblematic meaning beyond its function as a portrait of a woman.
History & Provenance
Henri-Jean Guillaume Martin painted Woman in Profile in 1895, an oil on canvas portrait measuring 45.3 × 23.2 cm. The work depicts a woman in profile and belongs to the portrait genre. It remains in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, which acquired the painting and maintains its current display at the museum in Cleveland. The painting's provenance is limited to its acquisition by the museum, with no earlier ownership records documented in the available sources.
Overview
Henri-Jean Guillaume Martin, a French painter associated with Post-Impressionism, created Woman in Profile in 1895. This oil painting exemplifies his frequent engagement with portraiture, often imbued with a sense of introspection and quiet contemplation. The work is presently housed in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, Woman in Profile showcases visible brushstrokes that lend a distinct texture to the surface. This technique, combined with the naturalistic portrayal of light and shadow, reflects Martin's Post-Impressionist leanings. The deliberate application of paint creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, enhancing the contemplative mood and the integration of the figure within her natural environment.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henri-Jean Guillaume "Henri" Martin (French pronunciation:; 5 August 1860 – 12 November 1943) was a French painter.
Woman in Profile
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