Mme Bison

The portrait depicts a woman identified only by the title *Mme Bison*. She wears a dark dress with a white collar and cuffs, her long hair parting centrally and falling over her shoulders. Her neutral, contemplative expression and the subdued tonal setting convey a quiet, introspective mood, inviting viewers to consider the inner life of the sitter.

Corot applied oil paint with a subtle modeling of light and shade, creating a gentle chiaroscuro that defines the facial features and folds of the dress. The background’s uniform brown tone serves to flatten space, focusing attention on the figure. The brushwork balances realism with a softened, atmospheric quality that anticipates later plein‑air approaches.

Created during the Realist phase of Corot’s career, *Mme Bison* reflects his parallel interest in portraiture and landscape. The painting entered the collection of the Ashmolean Museum, where it remains on display, providing insight into Corot’s less‑documented work in the genre of individual portraiture.