Artwork
Denise Maréchal
Denise Maréchal is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Théo van Rysselberghe. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:on reverse, dedication to the sitter's grandmother (the artist's mother-in-law): pour Madame Monnom 32 quai des Industriel
About this work
Technique & Style
Théo van Rysselberghe executed the portrait of Denise Maréchal in 1894 using oil paint applied to a wood panel support. The work measures 36.2 cm in height and 26.7 cm in width. Classified as a portrait, the painting retains the physical characteristics of a small-scale panel work from the late 19th century.
History & Provenance
The painting is listed in the National Gallery of Art’s collection database and has been displayed as part of the museum’s permanent collection.
Denise Maréchal is a 1894 oil on wood portrait by Belgian Symbolist Théo van Rysselberghe, measuring 36.2 × 26.7 cm. The work originated as a gift from the artist to Sylvie‑Marie‑Thérèse Monnom‑Descamps, the artist’s mother‑in‑law, and subsequently passed to her granddaughter, the sitter Mme Georges Béart, then to Raymond and Manette Counard‑Cuypers, to the Stofkooper collection in Brussels, and finally to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., after its sale at Sotheby’s London (25 June 2015, lot 507) and purchase by Jill Newhouse in November 2019.
The work titled Denise Maréchal, painted by Théo van Rysselberghe in 1894, is an oil on wood portrait that entered the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C., where it is catalogued as part of the museum’s holdings; its accession number is not publicly disclosed. Provenance recorded in the 2015 Sotheby’s catalogue traces the painting from a gift by the artist to the sitter’s grandmother, Sylvie‑Marie‑Thérèse Monnom‑Descamps, through successive gifts to the sitter, to Raymond and Manette Counard‑Cuypers, to the Stofkooper collection, to a 2015 Sotheby’s sale, to Jill Newhouse, and finally to the National Gallery of Art in November 2019. The painting is listed in the National Gallery of Art’s collection database and has been displayed as part of the museum’s permanent collection.
Legacy
The 1894 portrait by Théo van Rysselberghe entered the National Gallery of Art's collection in November 2019 after a series of documented transfers that began with a gift from the artist to the sitter's grandmother and later passed through several Belgian owners before a 2015 Sotheby's sale and a subsequent purchase by the museum. Its dimensions of 36.2 cm by 26.7 cm and oil‑on‑panel technique are recorded in the museum's catalogue, and its provenance illustrates a clear chain of ownership that has been cited in scholarly sales catalogues. The work's presence in a major U.S. museum underscores its recognized status within the artist's oeuvre.
Overview
Théo van Rysselberghe's portrait, Denise Maréchal, painted around 1894, is an oil on wood panel. The work depicts a woman in a dark dress with flowing hair, rendered with the artist's characteristic pointillist technique. Her contemplative expression and the vibrant, dappled background create a sense of introspective quietude, reflecting the artistic currents of the late 19th century.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents Denise Maréchal in a pensive moment, her gaze directed subtly to the left. Her long, wavy hair frames a neutral expression, suggesting an internal state rather than direct engagement with the viewer. Dressed in a dark garment, her figure is set against a vibrant, abstract background, emphasizing her quiet introspection and the personal nature of the portrait.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Théophile "Théo" van Rysselberghe was a Belgian neo-impressionist painter, who played a pivotal role in the European art scene at the turn of the twentieth century.
